Biological metamaterials for enhanced noise control technology
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
Invisibility cloaks are fantastic devices in popular culture from Harry Potter to Star Trek. But even in the real world so-called metamaterials (synthetic composite materials with emergent new properties) can act as (partial) cloaks both against light (vision) and sound (acoustics). We recently discovered that the 65MY old arms race with their echolocating bat predators has equipped moths with remarkable acoustic metamaterials on their wings and bodies (e.g. Shen et al. 2018 PNAS). The strength of a moth's echo determines the distance over which bats can detect it. Fur on bodies and scales on wings of moths have broadband absorptive properties that each outperform current sound absorber technology. While moth fur is a fibrous porous absorber almost twice as efficient as comparable technical solutions, the scales on moth wings have an even more exciting functional principle: Each scale resonates and together they create efficient broadband absorption of bat ultrasound. In contrast to technical solutions, these scales best absorb low frequencies, and show an unparalleled deep-subwavelength (<1% of wavelength) functionality. Their structure and (postulated) functionality make moth wings the first documented biological acoustic metamaterial - a discovery as transformative as nanoscale photonic crystals creating structural colour in butterfly scales.
Our objective is to reveal the, as yet unknown, biophysics behind these evolved metamaterial absorbers and translate them into the human hearing range. In collaboration with our industry partner we will then develop prototypes for the next generation of more efficient bio-inspired noise control devices (biology-push). In return, understanding the biophysics will cross-inspire biology, as it allows us to look for and identify further acoustic metamaterials with different adaptiveness (i.e. tuneable metasurfaces; technology-pull).
Unlocking the potential of evolved deeply subwavelength sound absorber metamaterials requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary, world-leading team of researchers; it is not possible to disassociate the biology from the mechanical modelling and treat the problem piecemeal. The assembled team of researchers has complementary expertise ranging from structural analysis of scales created by epidermal cells, acoustomechanical characterisation, and absorptive index assessment (lead Biology, Holderied, Robert), to theoretical biophysics of metamaterial properties (lead Applied Mathematics, Craster), to computational biophysics, modelling, and prototyping (lead Ultrasonics Engineering, Drinkwater with industry partner) and product development and commercialisation (industry partner). A range of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies (some of which pioneered in the applicants' labs exclusively) are required for this research including Dynamic Acoustic 3D imaging, Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry and Refractometry, X-ray nanoCT (successful Diamond synchrotron light source bid 2018), COMSOL multiphysics modelling, 3D lithography and nanoScribe 3D fabrication.
Promisingly, our first lithographically produced scale replicas indeed resonate at the most important frequency for human communication (4 kHz). The outcome of our iterative effort will be novel broadband sound absorbers, that are much thinner and lighter than existing systems. These bioinspired absorbers not only have substantial economic potential (as evidenced by the commitment of our industry partner), their lower space and weight footprint promises more flexible and acceptable noise control solutions for our offices and homes. They will help in our fight against acoustic pollution (e.g. cost to the NHS of hearing loss is estimated to be 450M per year), which is the 2nd largest environmental health risk in Western Europe leading to over 10000 premature deaths every year (EEA, 2014; WHO, 2011).
Our objective is to reveal the, as yet unknown, biophysics behind these evolved metamaterial absorbers and translate them into the human hearing range. In collaboration with our industry partner we will then develop prototypes for the next generation of more efficient bio-inspired noise control devices (biology-push). In return, understanding the biophysics will cross-inspire biology, as it allows us to look for and identify further acoustic metamaterials with different adaptiveness (i.e. tuneable metasurfaces; technology-pull).
Unlocking the potential of evolved deeply subwavelength sound absorber metamaterials requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary, world-leading team of researchers; it is not possible to disassociate the biology from the mechanical modelling and treat the problem piecemeal. The assembled team of researchers has complementary expertise ranging from structural analysis of scales created by epidermal cells, acoustomechanical characterisation, and absorptive index assessment (lead Biology, Holderied, Robert), to theoretical biophysics of metamaterial properties (lead Applied Mathematics, Craster), to computational biophysics, modelling, and prototyping (lead Ultrasonics Engineering, Drinkwater with industry partner) and product development and commercialisation (industry partner). A range of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies (some of which pioneered in the applicants' labs exclusively) are required for this research including Dynamic Acoustic 3D imaging, Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry and Refractometry, X-ray nanoCT (successful Diamond synchrotron light source bid 2018), COMSOL multiphysics modelling, 3D lithography and nanoScribe 3D fabrication.
Promisingly, our first lithographically produced scale replicas indeed resonate at the most important frequency for human communication (4 kHz). The outcome of our iterative effort will be novel broadband sound absorbers, that are much thinner and lighter than existing systems. These bioinspired absorbers not only have substantial economic potential (as evidenced by the commitment of our industry partner), their lower space and weight footprint promises more flexible and acceptable noise control solutions for our offices and homes. They will help in our fight against acoustic pollution (e.g. cost to the NHS of hearing loss is estimated to be 450M per year), which is the 2nd largest environmental health risk in Western Europe leading to over 10000 premature deaths every year (EEA, 2014; WHO, 2011).
Planned Impact
In our ever-noisier world, noise pollution leads to over 10000 premature human deaths every year and is the second largest environmental health risk in Western Europe, (European Environmental Agency, 2014, World Health Organisation 2011); the UK government estimates the annual social cost of just urban road noise in England as £7-10 billion. Noise control technology is thus increasingly deployed to provide a healthier living and working environment, but it will have to become ever lighter, thinner, and more effective for us to accept it into our offices and homes.
A key promise of the rapidly expanding field of acoustic metamaterials is to develop highly adaptable ultrathin subwavelength sound absorber technology that will substantially reduce the weight and space footprint of architectural acoustics solutions and thereby help providing a healthy living and working environment. There is indeed a revolution underway in acoustics technology with metamaterials at the fore, several start-ups (Sonobex, Metasonics) have emerged in the UK and many others overseas.
We recently have discovered that the 65 million year acoustic arms race between bats and moths has given moth scales the ability to absorb the biosonar sounds of their bat predators (Shen et al. 2018 PNAS; Neil et al. under revision), and their effectiveness far exceeds current technological solutions. These scales are indeed the first documented natural acoustic metamaterial, and their structure and resonant functionality is unlike anything currently known let alone utilized. In this proposal a deeply integrated multidisciplinary team including our industry project partner QinetiQ will close this knowledge gap and develop biological metamaterial principles into advanced noise control prototypes. Industry involvement ensures a continuing process to reach the next technological readiness levels towards a finished noise control product.
Immediate impact from this project pertains to three levels: First and foremost, development of technical and industrial noise control applications with our industry partner QinetiQ. Our work is therefore of direct relevance to national and global human health and wellbeing (details in National Importance in Case for Support) with substantial economic long-term potential. Second, scientific network generation by creating a Special Interest Group nucleus for the emerging field of biological acoustic metamaterials within the UK Acoustics Network (www.acoustics.ac.uk). And finally, media communication and direct public engagement, that are organised and delivered to maximise societal impact through communication to audiences that are larger than the scientific community. In the context of local, and national science and nature festivals, we will produce a hands-on transportable interactive display (BATtleships) that will contribute to University public engagement, e.g. local schools, and generate knowledge exchange and active public participation (see pathways to impact for details).
Impacting biology, our discoveries establish the new research field of Acoustic Camouflage. We have only started investigating biological acoustic metamaterials, and many more discoveries are undoubtedly waiting to be made. Understanding the biophysics will cross-inspire biology as it allows a targeted search for further biological structures, in particular adaptively tuneable absorbers.
Finally, in conducting this research programme, the team (PDRAs) will gain and benefit from further training and experience in project and personnel management, as well as developing strong communication skills through public engagement and industry placement activities. We will ensure that training is delivered to the entire team, and that of volunteers, enhancing the educational value of impact, and generating increased opportunities for science to engage with the public and policy makers, teachers, school children, industrial partners and fellow academic researchers.
A key promise of the rapidly expanding field of acoustic metamaterials is to develop highly adaptable ultrathin subwavelength sound absorber technology that will substantially reduce the weight and space footprint of architectural acoustics solutions and thereby help providing a healthy living and working environment. There is indeed a revolution underway in acoustics technology with metamaterials at the fore, several start-ups (Sonobex, Metasonics) have emerged in the UK and many others overseas.
We recently have discovered that the 65 million year acoustic arms race between bats and moths has given moth scales the ability to absorb the biosonar sounds of their bat predators (Shen et al. 2018 PNAS; Neil et al. under revision), and their effectiveness far exceeds current technological solutions. These scales are indeed the first documented natural acoustic metamaterial, and their structure and resonant functionality is unlike anything currently known let alone utilized. In this proposal a deeply integrated multidisciplinary team including our industry project partner QinetiQ will close this knowledge gap and develop biological metamaterial principles into advanced noise control prototypes. Industry involvement ensures a continuing process to reach the next technological readiness levels towards a finished noise control product.
Immediate impact from this project pertains to three levels: First and foremost, development of technical and industrial noise control applications with our industry partner QinetiQ. Our work is therefore of direct relevance to national and global human health and wellbeing (details in National Importance in Case for Support) with substantial economic long-term potential. Second, scientific network generation by creating a Special Interest Group nucleus for the emerging field of biological acoustic metamaterials within the UK Acoustics Network (www.acoustics.ac.uk). And finally, media communication and direct public engagement, that are organised and delivered to maximise societal impact through communication to audiences that are larger than the scientific community. In the context of local, and national science and nature festivals, we will produce a hands-on transportable interactive display (BATtleships) that will contribute to University public engagement, e.g. local schools, and generate knowledge exchange and active public participation (see pathways to impact for details).
Impacting biology, our discoveries establish the new research field of Acoustic Camouflage. We have only started investigating biological acoustic metamaterials, and many more discoveries are undoubtedly waiting to be made. Understanding the biophysics will cross-inspire biology as it allows a targeted search for further biological structures, in particular adaptively tuneable absorbers.
Finally, in conducting this research programme, the team (PDRAs) will gain and benefit from further training and experience in project and personnel management, as well as developing strong communication skills through public engagement and industry placement activities. We will ensure that training is delivered to the entire team, and that of volunteers, enhancing the educational value of impact, and generating increased opportunities for science to engage with the public and policy makers, teachers, school children, industrial partners and fellow academic researchers.
Publications
Chaplain G
(2021)
Surface corrugated laminates as elastic grating couplers: Splitting of SV- and P-waves by selective diffraction
in Journal of Applied Physics
Chaplain G
(2020)
Ultrathin entirely flat Umklapp lenses
in Physical Review B
Chaplain G
(2020)
Topological Rainbow Trapping for Elastic Energy Harvesting in Graded Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Systems
in Physical Review Applied
Chaplain G
(2021)
Underwater Focusing of Sound by Umklapp Diffraction
in Physical Review Applied
Chaplain GJ
(2020)
Tailored elastic surface to body wave Umklapp conversion.
in Nature communications
Craster R
(2024)
Twinning cavities - Making a garage sound identical a cathedral
De Ponti J
(2020)
Graded elastic metasurface for enhanced energy harvesting
in New Journal of Physics
De Ponti J
(2020)
Experimental investigation of amplification, via a mechanical delay-line, in a rainbow-based metamaterial for energy harvesting
in Applied Physics Letters
Galiffi E
(2020)
Wood Anomalies and Surface-Wave Excitation with a Time Grating.
in Physical review letters
Galiffi E
(2020)
Wood Anomalies and Surface-Wave Excitation with a Time-Grating
Description | Two key findings by the bio-inspiration team are: 1) Body fur of moths is a hierarchival fibrous-porous absorber with remarkable broadband absorber abilities. Our respective publication in Royal Society Interface (Neil et al. 2020a) is their 2nd most read paper ever. 2) Wing scales on moth wings are ultrathin broadband metamaterial absorbers. The work published in PNAS (Neil et al. 2020b) has the third highest Attention Score (measureing scientific, news, and social media coverage) of the PNAS comparison group, and ranks at 99.93% of all papers evere published. |
Exploitation Route | Our findings have led to two large follow-up grants (detials in respective sections) which aim to turn our bio-inspiration into proof-of-concept acoustic materials. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Construction Healthcare |
Description | Our research has received extensive coverage by major Natural History filmmaking organisations. Existing and ongoing projects (in different stages of broadcast) include: BBC - Animal Einsteins BBC - Attenborough's Life in Colour BBC - Amaze Me Apple TV+ - Earthsound (nondisclosed) - Sounds of Nature |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Description | (BOHEME) - Bio-Inspired Hierarchical MetaMaterials |
Amount | € 3,226,250 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 863179 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | (MetaVEH) - Metamaterial Enabled Vibration Energy Harvesting |
Amount | € 4,018,875 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 952039 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2021 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration Awards |
Amount | £47,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 07/2023 |
Description | ICURe Exploit for Attacus Acoustics |
Amount | £44,898 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2023 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | ICURe Explore for Attacus Acoustics |
Amount | £56,666 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2023 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Award (IAA) Building an Impedance Tube to Characterise Sonic Wallpaper |
Amount | £46,810 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 06/2023 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Award (IAA) Establishing Roll-to-roll Sonic Wallpaper Manufacture |
Amount | £101,625 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2023 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | Task 30 |
Amount | £200,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Atlas Elektronik UK |
Sector | Private |
Country | Germany |
Start | 01/2021 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | University Enterprise Fellowship |
Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 01/2024 |
Title | 2021 Current Biology |
Description | Data for Neil et al. 2021 Current Biology |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Wide public interest in acoustic camouflage, including viral social media content. |
URL | https://data.bris.ac.uk/data/dataset/3j1z90v2siwr828djaj4w2u5dj/ |
Title | A_suraka raw data from Thoracic scales of moths as a stealth coating against bat biosonar |
Description | Spreadsheet containing all raw data on the moth species A. suraka. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Raw data underpinning our bio-inspired technology |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/A_suraka_raw_data_from_Thoracic_scales_of_moths_as_a_stealth_coatin... |
Title | C_promethea raw data from Thoracic scales of moths as a stealth coating against bat biosonar |
Description | Spreadsheet containing all raw data on the moth species C. promethea |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Raw data underpinning our bio-inspired technology. |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/A_suraka_raw_data_from_Thoracic_scales_of_moths_as_a_stealth_coatin... |
Title | ESM_File_Codes from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Codes_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/2... |
Title | ESM_File_Codes from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Codes_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/2... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig1 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig1_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig1 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig1_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig10 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig10_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/2... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig10 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig10_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/2... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig3 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig3_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig3 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig3_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig4 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig4_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig4 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig4_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig5 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig5_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig5 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig5_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig6 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig6_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig6 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig6_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig7 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig7_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig7 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig7_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig8 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig8_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig8 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig8_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig9 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig9_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | ESM_File_Fig9 from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/ESM_File_Fig9_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/21... |
Title | G_agamemnon raw data from Thoracic scales of moths as a stealth coating against bat biosonar |
Description | Spreadsheet containing all raw data on the butterfly species G. agamemnon |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Raw data underpinning our bio-inspired technology |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/A_suraka_raw_data_from_Thoracic_scales_of_moths_as_a_stealth_coatin... |
Title | P_troilus raw data from Thoracic scales of moths as a stealth coating against bat biosonar |
Description | Spreadsheet containing all raw data on the butterfly species P. troilus. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Raw data underpinning our bio-inspired technology |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/A_suraka_raw_data_from_Thoracic_scales_of_moths_as_a_stealth_coatin... |
Title | P_troilus raw data from Thoracic scales of moths as a stealth coating against bat biosonar |
Description | Spreadsheet containing all raw data on the butterfly species P. troilus. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Raw data underpinning our bio-inspired technology |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/A_suraka_raw_data_from_Thoracic_scales_of_moths_as_a_stealth_coatin... |
Title | Readme_updated from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Readme_updated_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/2... |
Title | Readme_updated from A tunable electromagnetic metagrating |
Description | We explore electromagnetic (EM) wave incidence upon gratings of reconfigurable metamaterial cylinders, which collectively act as a metagrating, to identify their potential as reconfigurable subwavelength surfaces. The metacylinders are created by a closely spaced microstructured array of thin plates that, in the limit of small inter-plate spacing, are described by a semi-analytical continuum model. We build upon metacylinder analysis in water waves, translating this to EM for TE polarization (longitudinal magnetic field) for which the metacylinders exhibit anisotropic scattering; this is exploited for the multiple scattering of light by an infinite metagrating of uniform cylinder radius and angle, for which we retrieve the far-field reflection and transmission spectra for plane-wave incidence. These spectra reveal unusual effects including perfect reflection and a negative Goos-Hänchen shift in the transmitted field, as well as perfect symmetry in the far-field scattering coefficients. The metagrating also hosts Rayleigh-Bloch surface waves whose dispersion is contingent on the uniform cylinder angle, shifting under rotation towards the light-line as the cylinder angle approaches the horizontal. For both plane-wave scattering and the calculation of the array-guided modes, the cylinder angle is the principal variable in determining the wave interaction, and the metagrating is tunable simply through rotation of the constituent metacylinders. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Readme_updated_from_A_tunable_electromagnetic_metagrating/2... |
Title | Supplementary material for 'Models for resonant acoustic metasurfaces with application to moth wing ultrasound absorption' |
Description | Data for all figures |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Supplementary_material_for_Models_for_resonant_acoustic_met... |
Title | Supplementary material for 'Models for resonant acoustic metasurfaces with application to moth wing ultrasound absorption' |
Description | Data for all figures |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://rs.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Supplementary_material_for_Models_for_resonant_acoustic_met... |
Description | Bristol - QINETIQ collaboration |
Organisation | Qinetiq |
Department | QinetiQ (Farnborough) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QINETIQ are the industry partner on this award |
Collaborator Contribution | Committed to £60k in-kind contributions and several months of industry placements. |
Impact | This collaboration did not result in any collaborative actions or information exchange. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Bristol City Museum |
Organisation | Bristol City Council |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Joint research using the museum insect collection |
Collaborator Contribution | Provide logistical support and access to their collection of insect specimens. |
Impact | ongoing |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | DIAMOND light source |
Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Providing samples, receiving training and conducting measurements on site. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provide training, support and access to imaging infrastructure. Support with analysis and interpretation. |
Impact | Three visits with 9 days of beamline have produced results currently written up for publication and in use as pilot data to follow-on UKRI funding. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Natural History Museum London |
Organisation | Natural History Museum |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Imaging equipment, analysis tools and manpower for data collection. |
Collaborator Contribution | Logistical support, consulting, and access to their collection and research infrastructure. |
Impact | Data collection so far |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | QinetiQ Ring resonator |
Organisation | Qinetiq |
Department | QinetiQ (Farnborough) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This is funding for an iCASE student |
Collaborator Contribution | Advice / input into the supervision |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | UK Acoustics Network Plus and Network |
Organisation | University of Sheffield |
Department | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Craster is co-director of the UK Acoustics Network Plus EP/V007866/1 and the Network EP/R005001/1 Members of the team & the postdocs and fellows that came to the research groups during the programme grant have played a strong role in the success of the Network Plus and Network. |
Collaborator Contribution | The critical mass of the programme grant and the research done within it gave momentum to the Network. The UK Acoustics Network (of which Craster was co-director) ran from 2017-2021 and interacted strongly with the programme grant. The special interest group in acoustic metamaterials was led by Craster until 2022 and this acted to motivate the UK Metamaterials Network. |
Impact | There is a separate ResearchFish entry for the UK Acoustics Network and Network Plus. www.acoustics.ac.uk Currently (as of 2024) there are over 1700 members, half are from industry and half from academia. It has run several hundred events nationwide, summer schools and a pilot funding scheme. There are a vast number of partners and please look at the UKAN and UKAN+ researchfish entries for details. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Title | SOUND-ABSORPTION DEVICE |
Description | This invention relates to a sound-absorption device, an assembly of sound-absorption devices, and a method of absorbing sound. In general terms, the present invention provides a sound-absorption device configured to absorb sound within a desired frequency range, in which a plurality of tuned resonator elements project from a panel absorber, such as a constrained plate. |
IP Reference | 2312691.5 P4870GB00-RK5JM |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | University spinout scheduled for this year. Several credible parties are interested in a licensing deal. |
Description | BBC Amaze me with Chris Peckham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Our research (Neil et al. 2020b) features as one half of one episode. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | BBC Animal Einsteins |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Our research on nmoth wing sound absorbers features in one episode of BBC's Animal Einsteins. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000slks |
Description | BENHS Annual Memorial lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave the annual memorial lecture for BENHS in 2023. There were 300 online attendees from all over the globe. Very interesting discussions at the end of the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.benhs.org.uk/ |
Description | BNHC Winter Lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Marc delivered the Bristol Natural History Consortium winter lecture Nov 2023 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blog/winter-lectures-for-2023-24/ |
Description | Biosonar interactive display at Winchester Science Centre |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Supported with £15k by the UK Acoustics Network, we developed an interactive display for the Winchester Science Centre (>900k visitors per annum). This is an interactive game with ultrasound showing our research on biological acoustic sound absorbers. It is popular and receives outstanding visitor feedback! |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/exploring/sound-hearing-vibration |
Description | Brad Ashby memorial lecture for the British Entomological and Natural History Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I delivered the 2023 Brad Ashby memorial lecture. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://twitter.com/BritEntSoc/status/1613582515586875392?t=A7VvlwxUviPSZGEC5hgIdA&s=03 |
Description | Editorial in Stereophile, the world's largest-circulation hi-fi magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An invited editorial on our work for the magazine. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.stereophile.com/search/node/holderied |
Description | European Researchers Night 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We participated in the European Researchers NIght 2021 with our interactive Biosonar display. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://2021.futuresnight.co.uk/ |
Description | FUTURES 2019 European Researchers' Night |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | FUTURES is part of European Researchers' Night, a Europe-wide event dedicated to explaining research through fun and interactive learning. More than 300 cities across 30 European countries will be taking part in the event on 27 and 28 September 2019. We participated in the following Bristol activities - We The Curious - Up Late - Research Fair |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.futures2019.co.uk/ |
Description | Festival of Nature 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Two-day presence at the Festival of Nature with our interactive Echolocation display. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature/ |
Description | Futures 2023 Schools Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Interactive echolocation display for the Futures event with schools visiting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://futuresnight.co.uk/ |
Description | Futures Schools fair; Battleships display |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Several hundred pupils attended the interactive schools fair. We were voted the most popular display by the visitors. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://futuresnight.co.uk/ |
Description | Futures Up late; Battleships display |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An evening event on the SS Great Britain showcasing our work on acoustic camouflage with the interactive BATtleships display. Hundreds of visitors interactes with the team and the display. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://futuresnight.co.uk/ |
Description | Gauteng And Northern Regions Bat Interest Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An online presentation for the Gauteng And Northern Regions Bat Interest Group in SouthernAfrica. Attendees mainly from Southern Africe, but with a global reach. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | http://batsgauteng.org.za/wp/ |
Description | Marwa AlDiwiny IEEE Soft Robotics Podcast, three episodes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed by Marwa AlDiwiny for her podcast which she turned into three separate podcast episodes on our work. Well over 500 plays. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://soundcloud.com/ieeeras-softrobotics |
Description | National Trust Podcast episode 111 A Wild Night Out |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We were main contributers and were intereviewed for this episode of the NT podcast. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/virtual-visit/podcasts/national-trust-podcast-series-six |
Description | Springwatch 2023 coverage of our research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Our research into moth acoustic camouflage was covered extensively in BBC Springwatch in June 2023 live by Megan McCubbin. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mxb0 |
Description | The Conversation article: Moths and bats have been in an evolutionary battle for millions of years - and we're still uncovering their tricks |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This online article summarising our work is very popular with ~1000 Facebook and ~500 Twitter mentions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/moths-and-bats-have-been-in-an-evolutionary-battle-for-millions-of-years... |
Description | UK Acoustic Network Bioacoustics Special Interest Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | The vision of the UK Acoustics Network is to bring together the internationally leading, but disparate UK acoustics, research community, to promote acoustics in the UK both nationally and internationally and to provide a coherent single point of access to acoustics research for industry and governmental agencies The main aim of acoustics.ac.uk is to bring together researchers working in different areas of acoustics to enhance communication between groups, provide a focus for collaboration and innovation, and to maximise the future impact of acoustics based research in the UK. We have created and I now chair the Bioacoustics Special Interest Group within the UKAN. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://acoustics.ac.uk/ |
Description | Viral social media content |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A video on my research was posted on several social media channels by the university and has gone viral. It now is the most viewed content from HE in the UK in TikTok with well over 1.2m views. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.tiktok.com/@officialbristoluni/video/7244938663015025946 |
Description | Wildlife Photographer of the Year - BATtleships interactive display for visitors |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interactive BATleships display used at the opening of the WIldlife Photographer of the year exhibition at Bristol's MShed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Winged Wednesday |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An online presentation as part of the #wingedwednesday webinar of 'Bats without Borders' to roughly 100 attendees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://www.batswithoutborders.org/events.html |