UKMMN Small Grants

The UKMMN is delighted to fund bold projects from across the broad scope of the UKMMN community. In July 2024 UKMMN opened our first public call for Small Grants Funding. Thus far, 18 projects have been funded by the UKMMN.

1. Alasdair Clark (University of Glasgow) Improving Water Quality in Island Communities using Nanophotonic Metasurfaces  
2. Olly Duncan (Manchester Metropolitan University) Active magneto-mechanical metamaterials for muscle fibre emulation 
3. Kelly Morrison (University of Loughborough) Thermal scanning lithography for fabricating nanoscale metamaterials
4. Tasneem Sabir (Manchester Metropolitan University) An anatomical female knee surrogate for testing metamaterial knee brace concepts
5. Oksana Trushkevych (University of Warwick) Ultrasound patterned auxetic elastomers as acoustic and mechanical metamaterials 
6. Martin Walker (University of Durham) Elastic-Plastic Localisation in Metamaterial Manufacturing
7. Matteo Seita (University of Cambridge)  3D characterisation of chiral textures (abstract pending)
8. Isabella Guido (University of Surrey) Metamaterials from Biological Building Blocks (abstract pending)
9. Stephen Henthorn (University of Sheffield) Demonstrator of Radar Cloaking with Active Metamaterials (abstract pending)
10. Nilanthy Balakrishnan (Keele University) Design and development of cost-effective flexible 3D-printed frames for X-ray crystallography
11. Richard Critchley (Cranfield University) Hyperdynamic active mechanical metamaterials
12. Oliver Duncan (Manchester Metropolitan University) Active magneto-mechanical metamaterials for muscle fibre emulation
    
13. Alex Powell (University of Exeter) Grace under pressure – metamaterials for controlled buckling under changes in ambient pressure
14. Yaan Liu (University of Exeter) 3D printed SiC mid-IR metamaterials
15. Maryam Khodadadi ( Institute for Communications Systems (ICS), home of the 5G/6G Innovation Centre (5G/6GIC), University of Surrey) Topological Photonic Metamaterials for Brain-Inspired Artificial Intelligence
16. Yue (Christina) Wang (University of York) Advancing tunable metasurfaces enabled by quasi-2D materials
17. Kenneth Leung (Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton) ISVR-TUM PhD Student Exchange on AMM Research
18. Elise Pegg (Newcastle University)“Metascaffolds” to assist bone ingrowth into large bone voids
19. Sepideh Khodaparast (University of Leeds) Grass-inspired functional composite architectures
20. Jiajia Shen (University of Exeter) Manufacturing Programmed Morphing Metamaterial: Engineering Multi-Stability via Speed-Induced Stress in 3D Printing
21. Mitchell Kenney (University of Nottingham) Feasibility study of Metalenses fabricated by Nanoimprint Lithography for VR applications
22. Chenying Liu (University of Oxford) METABOT: Geometry-driven METAmaterial roBOTs that reconfigure, adapt, and evolve in response to their environments

 

 

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Alasdair Clark (University of Glasgow) 

Improving Water Quality in Island Communities using Nanophotonic Metasurfaces  

Monitoring water composition at drinking water treatment sites is essential to public safety. Sites commonly operate a sample-and-test process, sending samples to centralised labs for analysis. This provides a snapshot at the time of sampling, which, for decentralised sites (e.g. islands) can mean significant delay between system failure and detection. There is now an urgent need for real-time monitoring technologies at treatment sites. We have developed a potential solution: a rapid chemical fingerprinting tool enabled by nanophotonic metasurfaces. Machine learning correlates these fingerprints, identifying mixtures and detecting contaminants. This project will partner with Scottish Water to trial the technology in real-world settings. By testing at Scottish Water sites over a 6-month period, we will correlate our tool’s output with gold-standard off-site analysis, training it to recognise seasonal changes, specific issues, and indications of treatment failure. If successful, this project will create immediate impact by eliminating lengthy analysis delays – an improvement with direct implications for health. Success also opens avenues for impact with other national agencies and citizen groups involved in testing water quality in rivers, waterways, etc. 

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Olly Duncan (Manchester Metropolitan University) 

Active magneto-mechanical metamaterials for muscle fibre emulation 

Muscles achieve movement through the controlled interaction of actin and myosin filaments, enabling controlled motion with high energy efficiency. Myosin heads bond to actin fibres, then contract, to shorten the muscle fibres in a ratchet and pin mechanism. Precise design and actuation of short fibres is, therefore, a preliminary requirement for this work. In this project, we will emulate the deformation of actin heads using active magneto-mechanical materials that can magnetically bonded to a representation of actin, and then be flexed in a magnetic field. To do this, we will embed activated iron nanoparticles in a polymer matrix – as done before by Dr Galea Mifsud (https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119646 ). Working with Man Met’s electrochemistry group during a one-week visit, Galea Mifsud will pilot the printer settings for the activated polymer, then 3D-print five variants of the myosin heads (thin, actuatable beams) and actin bodies (magnetic toothed surface). An external electromagnet will then be used to tune and demonstrate the actuation mechanism (by Drs Duncan & Galea Mifsud– two one-day visits). Dr Galea Mifsud will then refine the design (three one-day visits) and make a demonstration tool for UKMMN+ events. Finally, Dr Galea Mifsud will visit Man Met for a day to begin writing his fellowship. The working group for the responsive mode grant application, and further iterations of the fellowship, will not require additional funding. 

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Kelly Morrison (University of Loughborough)

Thermal scanning lithography for fabricating nanoscale metamaterials

The aim of this UKMMN small grant was to establish a newly installed nanolithography and thin film deposition system at Loughborough. To demonstrate capability for a broader range of users, the grant included access costs for electron microscopy and purchase of some additional consumables to test fabrication of PDMS mould transfers (for possible upscaling of metastructure fabrication).

The different patterning routes we explored with the Nanofrazor (thermal scanning probe lithography) tool included:

1. a) Simple bi-layer patterning (bottom up), where a metal is sputtered into the patterned areas and the substrate developed to remove excess. Without access to reactive ion etching the expected best resolution is quoted as 100 nm. We achieved reliable transfer of pattern with feature size of 100 nm, and approximately 50% success rate for 75 nm features.
2. b) Dry etching of grayscale images into a substrate using Argon ion milling. We tested the milling rate through the thermal polymer and obtained atomic force microscopy data after different milling times. Etch amplification of the pattern was observed in a honeycomb lattice with feature separation of <100 nm from 30 nm to 76 nm.
3. c) Creation of PDMS stamps from a grayscale mould. This required adaptation of an optical microscope to enable pattern transfer whilst retaining markers (to find it). Work is ongoing to assess the fidelity of pattern transfer, in particular for smaller features.

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Tasneem Sabir (Manchester Metropolitan University) 

An anatomical female knee surrogate for testing metamaterial knee brace concepts 

Females are >3×s more likely to suffer sports-related knee injuries than males. In England alone, >15,000 knee ligament reconstruction surgeries are performed each year, costing the NHS >£60 million. Despite their importance in rehabilitation, current knee braces are often bulky, uncomfortable, and prone to slipping due to poor fit and stiff materials. Metamaterials could improve knee braces, offering segmented stiffness, compression zones, conformability (precise fit), and adaptability to offer users freedom of movement. 

Our project focuses on the development of an anatomical female-specific knee surrogate to support testing and validation of metamaterial brace concepts. Using 3D printing, we will produce soft tissue simulant samples with gyroid structures in Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), and nylon, selected for their varying mechanical behaviours. These samples will be assessed through compression and Shore hardness tests, benchmarked against known values for human soft tissue and medical-grade silicone. The outcomes of this work include: (i) a validated platform for testing and technology development, (ii) mechanical testing of 11 existing knee braces to identify current limitations, (iii) a proof-of-concept demonstrating the benefits of metamaterials in future brace designs.  

We hope to use the current knee brace project as a case study to guide the development of future metamaterial designs for health products that can conform and adapt to individual users. Also, establishing a foundation for future grant applications. We hope the surrogate will facilitate future testing of metamaterial concepts, by both our research group and network members.

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Oksana Trushkevych (University of Warwick) 

Ultrasound patterned auxetic elastomers as acoustic and mechanical metamaterials 

The large-scale production of metamaterials remains a challenge, requiring innovative and scalable approaches. Ultrasound patterning offers a promising solution, generating pressure fields that can influence soft materials such as liquid crystals, gels, and polymers. It is a promising modality of control and a scalable manufacturing approach for producing man-made materials with periodic or patterned mechanical properties. 

Auxetic materials possess a negative Poisson’s ratio and become thicker when stretched. Elastomers developed at Leeds possess a true auxetic response due to their internal structure, without the need for additional material processing, and they exhibit a distinct transition from conventional to auxetic behaviour within a specific strain range. This project aims to pattern such elastomers at the transition point using ultrasound, creating permanent, rewritable, or tuneable acoustic and mechanical metamaterials containing conventional and auxetic regions. 

At Warwick, we have capability to reorient anisotropic materials such as liquid crystals using ultrasound. We will generate a pressure field pattern through generating a standing wave using longitudinal ultrasound and plate guided waves. This will be applied to five different types of all-acrylate liquid crystal elastomer films developed at Leeds. These films have different compositions and are chosen for differing behaviour. We will characterise the result using polarised optical microscopy as the elastomers will change refractive index and thickness upon stretching, ultrasound excitation and transition to auxetic region. Laser vibrometry and other characterisation techniques will also be employed to confirm the patterning. The frequency, displacement of ultrasound and elastomer properties including film thickness and pre-tension will need to be adjusted to obtain observable response. 

If successful, the outcome will pave the way for further funding and establish ultrasound patterning as a scalable, cost-effective method for manufacturing metamaterials with tuneable mechanical properties. 

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Martin Walker (University of Durham) 

 Elastic-Plastic Localisation in Metamaterial Manufacturing

The localisation of deformation into concentrated regions is a hallmark of large, constrained deformations in thin sheets. This phenomenon is commonly observed in phenomena such as crumpling, where sharp creases emerge. Classic examples of elastic localisations include developable cones (d-cones) and stretching ridges.? Other singular features have also been identified such as foldable cones (f-cones) and excess cones (e-cones). The emergence and behaviour of these features is a result of the nearly inextensible behaviour of thin sheets. 

In metallic materials, the localisation process often begins elastically and then evolves into discrete plastic zones. While existing theoretical frameworks primarily address the mechanics of localised elastic features, they often overlook how these features originate under realistic manufacturing conditions – such as the influence of the boundary conditions and global stress state. Accurately predicting if and where plastic zones will occur is essential for common upper-bound analysis methods such as yield-line analysis, which assume the distribution of plastic zones a priori (usually from experiments). 

This project aims to characterise the full elastic-plastic localisation process in thin metallic sheets and develop predictive tools that can be used to enhance the efficiency and control of manufacturing processes. Beyond manufacturing applications, the proposed research holds promise for the design of new mechanical metamaterials. By intentionally designing localisation patterns, for example by controlling the boundary conditions or introducing features such as cuts, it becomes possible to tailor the mechanical behaviour of sheet structures—similar in concept to origami-based metamaterials where fold geometry dictates mechanical response.

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Richard Critchley (Cranfield University)

Hyperdynamic active mechanical metamaterials

This work explores the feasibility of active mechanical metamaterials that switch their deformation mechanism under dynamic blast or ballistic loading. These materials abilities to switch their response between penetrative, dynamic deformations caused by ballistic impacts, and distributed dynamic, vibrations expected during blasts will be studied and how these mechanical response changes influence response.

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Oliver Duncan (Manchester Metropolitan University)

Active magneto-mechanical metamaterials for muscle fibre emulation

Muscles achieve movement through the controlled interaction of actin and myosin filaments, enabling controlled motion with high energy efficiency. Myosin heads bond to actin fibres, then contract, to shorten the muscle fibres in a ratchet and pin mechanism. Precise design and actuation of short fibres is, therefore, a preliminary requirement for this work. In this project, we will emulate the deformation of actin heads using active magneto-mechanical materials that can magnetically bonded to a representation of actin, and then be flexed in a magnetic field.

To do this, we will embed activated iron nanoparticles in a polymer matrix – as done before by Dr Galea Mifsud (https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119646 ). Working with Man Met’s electrochemistry group during a one-week visit, Galea Mifsud will pilot the printer settings for the activated polymer, then 3D-print five variants of the myosin heads (thin, actuatable beams) and actin bodies (magnetic toothed surface). An external electromagnet will then be used to tune and demonstrate the actuation mechanism (by Drs Duncan & Galea Mifsud– two one-day visits). Dr Galea Mifsud will then refine the design (three one-day visits) and make a demonstration tool for UKMMN+ events.

Finally, Dr Galea Mifsud will visit Man Met for a day to begin writing his fellowship. The working group for the responsive mode grant application, and further iterations of the fellowship, will not require additional funding.

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Alex Powell (University of Exeter)

Grace under pressure – metamaterials for controlled buckling under changes in ambient pressure

Mechanical metamaterials that respond to changes in ambient pressure can be used to create morphing structures for the exploration of outer space or the deep sea. This project will fund a summer internship to establish the capabilities of these metamaterials to create structures that deform in a controllable manner under high pressure.

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Yaan Liu (University of Exeter)

3D printed SiC mid-IR metamaterials

This project explores the use of two-photon lithography (TPL) to fabricate 3D silicon carbide (SiC) nanostructures for mid-infrared (IR) metamaterials. SiC is a ceramic material with broadband transparency (0.4–6??m), a high refractive index (n?>?2.5), low optical losses, and excellent thermal (~1000?°C) and mechanical stability, making it ideal for applications in thermal photonics, IR sensing, and energy control.

This interdisciplinary project supports collaboration across materials science, photonics, and advanced manufacturing. It aims to deliver the first validation of 3D printable SiC metamaterials using TPL and contribute to the UK’s emerging capability in ceramic nanofabrication for next-generation infrared optical devices.

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Maryam Khodadadi ( Institute for Communications Systems (ICS), home of the 5G/6G Innovation Centre (5G/6GIC), University of Surrey)

Topological Photonic Metamaterials for Brain-Inspired Artificial Intelligence

This project will develop topological photonic metamaterials that physically train artificial intelligence, replacing traditional software-based learning. By engineering photonic meta-atoms to guide and process spike-based signals, we create hardware that can adapt and reconfigure itself in real time, just like the brain. This approach delivers AI systems that are ultra-low-power, defect-resistant, and capable of massive parallel processing — a step change for sustainable, high-speed computing.

Our work will combine neuromorphic science, metamaterials design, and photonic engineering to simulate and benchmark a new class of reconfigurable AI hardware. The outcomes will strengthen the UK’s global leadership in photonic metamaterials, open new research and commercial pathways in sectors such as healthcare, defence, communications, and environmental monitoring, and foster collaboration across academia and industry.

By sharing results, tools, and expertise openly through the UK Metamaterials Network, and by involving early-career researchers and PhD students, the project will also contribute to building a diverse, skilled community ready to lead the next generation of metamaterials research and innovation.

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Yue (Christina) Wang (University of York)

Advancing tunable metasurfaces enabled by quasi-2D materials

Metasurfaces provide unprecedented control over electromagnetic waves, overcoming the bulkiness of traditional optics. However, their initially static nature, with an optical response fixed after manufacturing, was a major barrier for applications requiring real-time, adaptive control. The integration of two-dimensional materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), can enable dynamic control in optoelectronic devices. The exceptional electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of these 2D materials are highly sensitive to external stimuli, including thermal, optical, and electrical fields.

While the electrical tunability of 2D monolayers is demonstrated, this project’s novelty lies in developing metasurfaces in quasi-2D materials that support Bound states in the Continuum. This approach will leverage the resulting high-quality factor resonances to achieve significant electro-optic modulation with extremely low power consumption.

The project leverages the established expertise in metasurface design, fabrication, and advanced characterisation, and the state-of-the-art imaging ellipsometry facility. We will design and fabricate BIC-metasurfaces in quasi-2D TMDs, and perform the electro-optic tuning tests by applying external fields. Our long-term vision is to use novel, low-power nanomaterials to drive the paradigm shift from static optical components to dynamic, reconfigurable systems.

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Kenneth Leung (Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton)

ISVR-TUM PhD Student Exchange on AMM Research

This project aims to foster collaboration between the University of Southampton (UOS) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) through an exchange of two PhD students taking on month long projects to fill critical knowledge gaps in acoustic metamaterials research. The first PhD student, visiting TUM, will acquire knowledge on numerical modelling of finite periodic metamaterial structures. Simulations of large-scale, finite acoustic metamaterials is currently still a tricky, yet essential research topic to unlock mass production of AMM for commercial use. The second PhD student, visiting ISVR, will examine the behaviour of elastic metamaterials in grazing flow environments, a field not thoroughly examined in literature. This field of research has applications in various industries such as in aerospace and wind energy. This project would help to support the development and international training of two PhD students in AMM and target UKMMN’s strategic objectives to maintain and expand UK’s leadership in AMM. Additionally, this would bring TUM/UOS closer together for future collaborations for future EU and UK funding opportunities.

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Elise Pegg (Newcastle University)

“Metascaffolds” to assist bone ingrowth into large bone voids

Large holes within bone are a challenge to treat clinically because bone can only heal across small distances. Porous scaffolds are used to bridge the gap, supporting and guiding the bone growth. However, non-union (failure of bone healing) is common, with some studies reporting a failure rate as high as 40%. Also, surgeons need to insert bone fillers into the scaffold which are expensive, and often use tissue taken from the patient which has associated risk.

This project aims to create a new multifunctional structure: a bioactive microporous ceramic that promotes new bone formation, within a macroporous metal mesh, that provides mechanical support. These “metascaffolds” have a unique structure, with two different functional materials at two different porosity scales.

By including a bioactive ceramic foam within the metal scaffold, we hope to be able to negate the need for bone fillers, simplifying the surgery and reducing NHS costs. However, there are practical challenges to creating such a structure. In this project we will be exploring different compositions and manufacturing techniques, to ensure the metascaffolds have a structure similar to natural bone and sufficient mechanical properties to promote bone healing.

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Sepideh Khodaparast (University of Leeds) Grass-inspired functional composite architectures

This project develops grass-inspired materials for passive atmospheric water harvesting, using the natural composition and structure of grasses. Grasses combine cellulose, hemicellulose, and waxes into multiscale architectures that enable cooling and dew collection. By mimicking these features, we aim to create composite dew-harvesting materials that capture water efficiently from the atmosphere.
The project has four main objectives:
1. Identify and characterise plant-based materials that replicate the properties of grass cuticles.
2. Fabricate single-component polysaccharide and wax films using energy-efficient self-assembly techniques.
3. Combine these components into composite structures that emulate grass architectures.
4. Test the functionality of the composites, including water collection, durability, and surface wetting behaviour under varied environmental conditions.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration between plant biologists, material scientists, and engineers, the project will link the chemical composition and hierarchical structure of grasses to water-harvesting performance. The outputs will include characterised films, functional performance data, and design principles for sustainable, plant-inspired materials. These results will inform the development of low-cost, energy-efficient atmospheric water harvesting technologies, contributing to improved water access in arid and semi-arid regions and supporting environmental sustainability and resilience.

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Jiajia Shen (University of Exeter) Manufacturing Programmed Morphing Metamaterial: Engineering Multi-Stability via Speed-Induced Stress in 3D Printing

This project pioneers a low-energy pathway for creating morphable surfaces by harnessing the inherent properties of 3D-printed thermoplastic polymers to design multi-stable mechanical metamaterials. Multi-stability allows a structure to hold distinct, stable shapes without constant energy input, making it ideal for applications requiring minimal power consumption. Traditionally, achieving this requires complex pre-stressing methods separate from manufacturing.

We propose a novel approach that intentionally utilises the residual stresses inherently generated during the fused deposition modelling (FDM) of thermoplastics. Typically, these stresses are seen as a manufacturing defect causing unwanted deformation. This project, however, aims to strategically control printing parameters, such as print speed, to programme a precise and beneficial pre-stress field directly into 2D lattice structures as they are built.

This transforms the 3D printing process into a powerful 4D printing tool, where flat, printed sheets of thermoplastic polymer are pre-programmed to snap into designed, three-dimensional shapes. Through systematic experimental calibration and testing of tri-angle unit cell lattices, we will quantitatively link printing parameters to residual stress formation and the resulting multi-stable behaviour. The outcome will be a new, streamlined manufacturing methodology for efficient, self-standing morphable metamaterial surfaces.

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Mitchell Kenney (University of Nottingham) Feasibility study of Metalenses fabricated by Nanoimprint Lithography for VR applications

This project is pioneering a new approach to manufacturing ultra-thin optical components known as metalenses using Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL) — an innovative, high-throughput technique for producing nanoscale structures. Led by the University of Nottingham in collaboration with VitreaLab GmbH, the study integrates a newly acquired NIL tool into an advanced metalens fabrication process to demonstrate fast, cost-effective production of next-generation optical metasurfaces.

The project will develop and benchmark NIL-fabricated metalens arrays capable of precisely shaping and focusing light. A VR light engine will serve as a demonstration platform, showcasing their potential in real-world photonic systems. Beyond this proof-of-concept, the team will share a scalable NIL fabrication process with members of the UK Metamaterials Network.

By driving forward UK-based metamaterials manufacturing and deepening academic–industry collaboration, this project strengthens the UK’s position at the forefront of photonics, imaging, sensing, and display innovation, laying the groundwork for future commercial and research impact.

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Chenying Liu (University of Oxford) METABOT: Geometry-driven METAmaterial roBOTs that reconfigure, adapt, and evolve in response to their environments

METABOT develops a new class of geometry-driven robotic modules based on mechanical metamaterials. By using origami-derived architectures, the robot’s structure itself encodes multiple motion modes, enabling reconfiguration without motors or complex control systems. The project integrates environmentally responsive joints made from hydrophilic TPU, or PEDOT:PSS composites, which change stiffness or geometry when exposed to water or humidity. This allows the robot to adapt passively between dry and wet environments and autonomously select behaviours suited to the terrain.

The project will produce a physical demonstrator capable of reconfiguration, adaptation, and even evolution, where planned material degradation introduces new motion patterns. Alongside this, METABOT will deliver open-source origami designs, experimental datasets for responsive joints, and a cross-disciplinary framework linking metamaterials, soft robotics, and smart materials. These outcomes will help seed future collaborations and expand the role of mechanical metamaterials in adaptive robotic systems.