Give an example of how you would see metamaterials in the present world?

Question

Physics

Lexi Zimmerman

9 March, 06:03

Give an example of how you would see metamaterials in the present world?

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Answers (1)

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Rex Mann · Answer 1

Lenses made of metamaterials that can see through the skin to determine if cancerous cells are multiplying underneath

Explanation:

Metamaterials are materials whose internal structure and composition have been scientifically engineered in such a way that they exhibit properties far beyond the properties of normal or natural materials.

An example of such properties is in the interaction of metamaterials with the spectrum of light.

Most natural materials reflect or refract light based on their respective refractive index which is a function of their wavelengths.

Metamaterials internal structures however, have been modified so that their wavelengths is much lesser than the wavelength of the spectrum of light. As a result metamaterials have the ability to bend rays of light around an object instead reflecting or refracting it.

A good example is the creation of metamaterial lenses which can see through opaque objects. For example a lens that can see through the epidermis of the skin to determine if malignant cancerous cells in multiplying in part of the body.