Spatiotemporal multiphysics metamaterials with continuously adjustable functions

TL;DR

This paper introduces spatiotemporal multiphysics metamaterials that enable continuous, real-time switching of thermal and electric functions, overcoming fixed functionalities and limited tunability in traditional designs.

Contribution

It proposes a novel spatiotemporal design framework allowing multiple and continuously switchable functions in multiphysics metamaterials.

Findings

Theoretical predictions of real-time thermal and electric function switching.

Simulation confirmation of function switching between cloaking, sensing, and concentrating.

Design of rotatable checkerboard structures for flexible function control.

Abstract

Emerging multiphysics metamaterials offer a distinct possibility for regulating complex physical processes. However, two severe constraints still lower their functionality and tunability. First, multiphysics functionality is fixed once structures and materials are prepared, i.e., one functionality for one physical field. Second, continuous tunability is unavailable in multiphysics fields because parameters are hard to change on demand. Here, we propose the concept of spatiotemporal multiphysics metamaterials by delicately considering the temporal dimension. The spatiotemporal feature leads to multiple functions for each physical field and their continuous switching. We achieve flexible thermal and electric function switching between cloaking, sensing, and concentrating based on rotatable checkerboard structures with different rotation times, material composition, and geometric shapes. Real-time thermal and electric functions are theoretically predicted and confirmed by simulations. These results provide a promising spatiotemporal platform for realizing adaptive and intelligent multiphysics field manipulation.