Themed collection Metamaterials
Rolling contact bistable passive and active metamaterials
Mater. Horiz., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D6MH00042H
Achieving strength and toughness limits of anisotropic microstructured alumina ceramics through interface engineering
Nacre-like all-ceramic metamaterials can be programmed by two interface descriptors: the stiffness ratio and the toughness/strength ratio between matrix and platelet to control their toughness.
Mater. Horiz., 2026,13, 2022-2034
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01962A
Layered hybrid lattice architectures for broadband electromagnetic absorption and improved structural stiffness
A hybrid layered lattice design achieves integrated electromagnetic absorption and mechanical stiffness by tuning geometric layer arrangement, enabling multifunctional and lightweight metamaterial absorber applications.
Mater. Horiz., 2026,13, 1952-1965
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01846C
High-dimensional multiplexed metamaterial for cross-media all-sound communication
A high-dimensional multiplexed metamaterial is proposed for modulating all dimensions of sound waves traversing water–air media, enabling high-speed, real-time cross-water–air communications with sound as the sole information carrier.
Mater. Horiz., 2026, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02182K
Strong and flexible graphene oxide paper for humidity responsive origami metamaterials
We develop strong and flexible graphene oxide (GO) papers for decimeter-scale and humidity-responsive origami metamaterials. Topological design enables multiple kinematic modes and state indication/memory functions in GO metamaterials.
Mater. Horiz., 2026,13, 1350-1361
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01681A
Ultra-thick three-dimensional interpenetrating graphene electrode architectures for high volumetric density energy storage
A novel data-driven electrode structure design and additive manufacturing ensure superior material utilization with minimal ohmic losses and substantially enhance volumetric energy and power densities compared to conventional configurations.
Mater. Horiz., 2026, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01991E
Non-integer-dimensional architected materials enabling synergistic acoustic, mechanical, and fluid coupling
A non-integer dimensional design paradigm enables intrinsic multifunctionality by embedding acoustic, mechanical, and fluid coupling directly into geometry, offering a scalable and fabrication-friendly route for architected metamaterials.
Mater. Horiz., 2026,13, 748-762
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01768H
Metamaterials with in situ tunable bending properties
We report a method for designing meta-beams/plates that offer global tunable bending stiffness. This principle enables tunable static bending deformation and vibrational modal shapes and frequencies for beam and plate structures.
Mater. Horiz., 2026, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02063H
Nano-architected GaN spinodoid metamaterials with tailorable anisotropic piezoelectric properties
Spinodoid topology engineering enables GaN metamaterials with enhanced piezoelectricity and tailored anisotropy, exhibiting emergent non-zero piezoelectric constants beyond crystallographic symmetry constraints.
Mater. Horiz., 2026, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02127H
Digital shape-morphing thermo-mechanical metamaterials
DSTM converts mechanical inputs through thermal processing into discrete digital outputs. that enables programmable logic operations and information storage through controlled mechanical deformation and temperature-driven state transitions.
Mater. Horiz., 2026, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02021B
Physics-informed neural networks for programmable origami metamaterials with controlled deployment
Physics-informed neural networks program full energy landscapes of origami metamaterials directly from governing equations, enabling data-free inverse design and controlled sequential deployment.
Mater. Horiz., 2025,12, 10641-10655
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01607J
About this collection
Metamaterials are synthetic composites that exhibit properties not usually found in natural materials. The artificial design of these materials enables properties to be fine-tuned to advance research developments in various fields. They have a diverse range of uses related to, electromagnetics, acoustics, mechanics and thermal materials. This themed collection in Materials Horizons, guest edited by Prof. Grace X. Gu (University of California, Berkeley, USA), Dr. Mohammad J. Mirzaali (TU Delft, The Netherlands), Prof. Amir Zadpoor (TU Delft, The Netherlands) and Dr Wei Zhai (National University of Singapore, Singapore), looks to explore the recent developments in this growing field of research.
We invite researchers working in this exciting field to contribute some of their latest quality work to the collection and we hope the collection will provide a platform to collect some of the latest impactful developments, as well as a platform to inspire new research.