POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF METAMATERIALS IN ANTENNA DESIGN, CLOAKING DEVICES, SENSORS AND SOLAR CELLS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This paper reviewed some of the applications of metamaterials in antenna design, cloaking devices, sensors and solar cells in brief. Metamaterials can be used as environment or as part of the antenna. Based on the required parameters, metamaterials while designing antennas are used in various types. They are highly useful in enhancing the power gain, bandwidth, in creating dense and antennas of multiple frequencies. Usage of metamaterial in antenna require proper designing of unit cell. This require creation of cells with special properties at required frequency. Cloaking is a technique of making specific objects invisible. This was achieved by isolating electromagnetic waves in that region. This paper reviewed some of the cloaking devices that use the technique of coordinate transformation and scattering cancellation. Metamaterial sensors which are more efficient than sensors with traditional materials are reviewed. These sensors exhibit enhanced sensitivity. Sensors used in wave guides and liquid chemical detection were reviewed. Solar cells that use metamaterials were reviewed. Usage of these materials reduce the loss in solar radiation making the solar cell more efficient based on the design. Recent design in solar cells concentrate on obtaining maximum reflection through usage of back reflectors and increased absorption