Metamaterials beyond negative refractive index: Applications in telecommunication and sensing

Metamaterials have earned their name with extraordinary properties such as negative refractive index and invisibility cloaking. With over 15 years of research and development, metamaterials show their debut in real world applications, especially in the areas of telecommunication, sensing, aerospace & defense, optics and medical instrumentation. In the meanwhile, metamaterials are expanding their concept in areas beyond electromagnetics. In this paper, the authors would like to focus on the research and applications in telecommunication and sensing. Octave-bandwidth horn antennas, flat-panel satellite antennas and air-borne holographic satellite antennas are all fabulous examples of clever implementation that bring metamaterials into practical devices. We would like to discuss the features that differentiate metamaterials from conventional counterparts in case studies. With the advancement in design, manufacturing, packaging, detection and testing, more sophisticated features are expected in the telecommunication, sensing, and beyond.