Company & Technology Overview
Prototype
The following video demonstrates a prototype of a new meta-material developed at FVMat LTD.
The cube is made from plastic (ABS) and has cylindrical voids inside it. Inside the voids we placed small magnetic particles. We can design and control the size & shape of the voids and particles as we please.
By applying a magnetic field the orientation of the magnetic particles is changed. This leads to a controllable change in the properties of the material. The orientation of the particles effects the material in the following manners:
The stiffness is higher along the particles axis
The magnetic properties change
The interactions between the particle change
Basic Concept
The following video illustrates the basic concept of the new meta-material. We show a basic cuboid composed out of building blocks (unit cells). We zoom in on one block and show its basic micro-structure and see:
The surrounding material (the matrix)
The size and shape of the void, which we can control
The particle inside the void, shape and size also in our control
For illustration purposes we then zoom out to see a plane cut with multiple voids and particles, and then virtually displace the cutting plane to show the multiple voids and particles inside the material.
Effect of a Magnetic Field
The following video illustrates the effect of a magnetic field or gravity on the micro-structure of a basic meta-material. This is a computational simulation of the demonstration shown in the first video.
We see a micro-structure with a void and a particle inside it. The direction of the magnetic or gravitational field is changed (not shown) and the particle changes its orientation accordingly.
Effect of Applied Heat
The following video illustrates a computational simulation showing the effect of heat applied to a micro-structure of a meta-material.
The matrix (green) and the particle (gray) have different thermal expansion coefficients (that we control). The heat applied causes the matrix and the particle to thermally expand, but since their properties are different they do not expand in the same magnitude or manner. This results in contact between the two followed by stresses.
By taking advantage of this difference we can design and create materials that:
Stiffen as the temperature rises
Expand with temperature in a controlled, non-homogeneous manner
Generally change properties with a change in temperature
Micro-Antenna Array with Dynamic Focus-Control
The focal point changes its location in 3D space, and each individual micro-antenna aligns itself accordingly. The overall effect is an antenna with controllable and dynamic characteristics.
This concept enables the design and production of antennas with controllable bandwidth and wavelength. The performance and efficiency of this antenna can be engineered and built to spec. We can also design and optimize the thermal performance to prevent overheating.
