Bifunctional Metamaterials with Simultaneous and Independent Manipulation of Thermal and Electric Fields

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel bifunctional metamaterial capable of independently manipulating thermal and electric fields simultaneously, demonstrated through design, fabrication, and experimental validation, advancing multi-physics field control.

Contribution

It presents the first composite with independently controllable thermal and electric conductivity enabling simultaneous, independent manipulation of thermal flux and electric current.

Findings

Successfully designed a bifunctional device for thermal shielding and electric concentration.

Experimentally validated independent control over thermal and electric fields.

Provides a new platform for multi-physics field manipulation.

Abstract

Metamaterials offer a powerful way to manipulate a variety of physical fields ranging from wave fields (electromagnetic field, acoustic field, elastic wave, etc.), static fields (static magnetic field, static electric field) to diffusive fields (thermal field, diffusive mass). However, the relevant reports and studies are usually conducted on a single physical field or functionality. In this study, we proposed and experimentally demonstrated a bifunctional metamaterial which can manipulate thermal and electric fields simultaneously and independently. Specifically, a composite with independently controllable thermal and electric conductivity was introduced, on the basis of which a bifunctional device capable of shielding thermal flux and concentrating electric current simultaneously was designed, fabricated and characterized. This work provides an encouraging example of metamaterials transcending their natural limitations, which offers a promising future in building a broad platform for manipulation of multi-physics field.