Acoustic Metamaterials

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

The Special Interest Group (SIG) for Acoustic Metamaterials (SIGAM) is concerned with the development of metamaterial devices to create control of sound and elastic wave vibration using subwavelength resonators.

The SIG will also maintain an interest in related areas such as phononic crystal, and other structured media as well as treated acoustics in the broader sense to involve elastic metamaterials such as seismic and ground vibration devices.

The SIG interfaces with the active electromagnetic metamaterials and antenna community to ensure that ideas flow freely from one area to the other. Applications to sound proofing, redirection of acoustic fields, lensing and negative refraction media will all fall within the initial remit of the SIG.

The principal function of the SIGAM is to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and users of acoustic metamaterials, covering analysis, modelling, design and validation, across all possible applications of acoustic metamaterials.

Files for the reproduction of each element of this artwork are available: here. This artwork may only be reproduced for non-profit and non-commercial purposes, crediting, the UK Metamaterials Network, and ‘Acoustic Metamaterials in your Life’ designed by Clara Walsh.

Sign up

SIGAM was established by the EPSRC UK Acoustics Network (UKAN; EP/R005001/1) in 2017, and has formed a very strong membership body since. It’s landing page is homed under UKAN: https://acoustics.ac.uk/sigs/metamaterials/

With the formation of the EPSRC UK Metamaterials Network we have set up a joint governance of this SIG to ensure the community is part of one big endeavour. Activities coordination is taking place through the SIG leads across both networks to reduce duplication of database building and GDPR conflicts.

Please use the UKAN signup form to join this SIG: https://acoustics.ac.uk/signup

Acoustic Metamaterials Roadmap (Accepted Manuscript)

Chaplain et al 2025 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/add306

Today, acoustic metamaterials form a core area of metamaterial research. They offer bespoke wave control, achievable through their rationally designed structure and are at the forefront of metamaterial applications and commercialisation. They find purpose across science and defence sectors in wave filtering, sensing, communications, energy harvesting, thermal emission control, and aeroacoustics, to name but a few. They enjoy success in metropolitan environments with designer audio and noise mitigation falling within their remit; acoustic metamaterial technologies are already penetrating the market across audio and healthcare sectors.

The landscape of acoustic metamaterial research is continually expanding, now incorporating several wave regimes under a broader definition that we adopt here. The diversity of acoustic metamaterial research displays how they exist not only to translate electromagnetic phenomena, but also to provide a unique platform for exploring all metamaterial physics, and for solving key societal challenges.

The aim of this Roadmap is to present a summary of the state of acoustic metamaterial research and innovation in 2024, with opinions on the challenges and future opportunities from a group of renowned experts, covering key interdisciplinary areas from fundamental acoustics to device implementation.