University of Sheffield researchers to drive metamaterials development
Researchers from the University of Sheffield are supporting a new national roadmap to establish the UK as a world-leader in metamaterials innovation - advanced materials that could transform critical technologies.
- Metamaterials have engineered properties that could transform critical technologies in aerospace, communications, energy and healthcare
- Dr Simon Pope from Sheffield’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is the Space and Aviation Challenge Lead for the UK Metamaterials Network
A new national roadmap to position the UK at the forefront of metamaterials innovation - materials with extraordinary properties that could bring huge advances to critical technologies in aerospace, telecommunications and energy - is being supported by researchers at the University of Sheffield.
The roadmap, published by the Metamaterials Strategy Action Group and convened by the UK government, identifies the priority areas for action to enable the UK to capitalise on its research community to become a world-leading hub for materials innovation and development.
Metamaterials are advanced materials whose benefits come from their engineered structures rather than their chemical composition. They are poised to transform multiple sectors with potential applications such as managing extreme temperatures and heat recovery; next generation augmented reality optics; advanced biosensing; more efficient solar energy; and wireless power transfer.
Currently the UK is first in the world for metamaterials research impact. However, the roadmap makes clear that without a coordinated national approach, particularly in scale-up, manufacturing capability, and market translation, the UK risks losing its competitive advantage internationally.
To address this, the roadmap establishes a shared national mission: to accelerate the commercialisation and industrial adoption of metamaterials over the next decade, whilst maintaining world leading excellence in the research pipeline that supports it. With this strategic framework now established, the UK Metamaterials Network will support the whole metamaterials ecosystem in translating the UK’s world-class research base into scalable manufacturing, resilient supply chains, and high-value economic impact.
Dr Simon Pope, Lecturer in the University of Sheffield’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, is the Space and Aviation Challenge Lead for the UK Metamaterials Network. In response to the roadmap, he said: “Metamaterials have extraordinary properties that could bring huge advances in technologies for a wide range of industries, such as communications, aerospace and healthcare. In the UK, we are at the forefront of this exciting field and now this roadmap gives us a plan for how we bring universities and industry together to continue both the fundamental research, commercialise the new advances and establish a strong manufacturing base.”
Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment, said: “Metamaterials represent a significant opportunity to strengthen the UK’s technology and industrial base, supporting economic growth, and solving societal challenges. Realising this opportunity will depend on our ability to translate cutting-edge research into commercially viable products and new industrial solutions. I welcome the publication of the Metamaterials Commercialisation Roadmap and its vision for accelerating innovation, attracting investment and building the partnerships needed to position the UK at the forefront of the transformative potential of metamaterials.”
