Introduction to Multi-Functional Metamaterials

Objectives
Metamaterials are materials exhibiting unconventional physical/mechanical properties that cannot be readily found in nature. They have a foundation in electromagnetics, but at the same time they have found wide applications in several engineering acoustics/electrodynamics/mechanics disciplines. The analysis and the synthesis of such materials, often physically realized as macro-scale aggregations of micro-scale/periodic arrangements of identical unit cells, requires sophisticated modeling and design methodologies that are currently at the edge of the research.
The course aims at providing the fundamentals of multi-functional metamaterials theory and concepts, along with an overview of the most effective analysis/synthesis techniques and their most appealing/emerging applications in advanced engineering fields. Applicative examples including exercises will corroborate the theoretical concepts.

Topics
Fundamentals of multi-functional metamaterials
Volumetric and surface metamaterials (i.e., metasurfaces), soft/hard surfaces, periodic and quasi-periodic surfaces
Advanced modeling and simulation techniques for the analysis of periodic and quasi-periodic structures
Advanced design techniques for the synthesis of innovative metamaterials in engineering fields
Applicative examples including exercises regarding specific engineering applications of multi-functional metamaterials

Required Skills
Courses of “Foundations of Electromagnetic Waves” and “Foundations of Mechanics and Acoustics”.

Course Modality and Verification of Learning
The classes will be given in hybrid (i.e., onsite and online) format. The teaching activity includes theoretical lessons and SW/HW emulator exercises.
The exam consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions on the topics of the course.