Application of Metamaterial in Renewable Energy: A Review

Abstract

Metamaterial advancements hold promise for compact renewable energy harvesting, capturing acoustic, electromagnetic, mechanical, and solar energy on a modest scale across global industries. Engineered structures surpass natural material limitations, offering capabilities unattainable in traditional counterparts. This investigation explores metamaterials' manipulation of acoustic, electromagnetic, mechanical, and solar energy. Mechanical metamaterials convert strain into electrical energy, applicable from interstellar travel to terrestrial infrastructure. Precision-configured acoustic metamaterials efficiently harness dispersed acoustic energy, improving renewable energy methodologies. Integration into photovoltaic cells showcases metamaterials' solar potential, with innovative designs enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency. Electromagnetic metamaterials efficiently absorb and convert frequencies into usable energy from communications and monitoring systems, in the agricultural and environmental sectors. Comparative analyses highlight noteworthy efficiency advancements, underscoring metamaterials' transformative influence on renewable energy. As they redefine the sector, implications extend to both small-scale devices and large-scale applications, positioning them as pivotal contributors. The paper critically evaluates metamaterial effectiveness in harnessing diverse energy sources, guiding future research. Metamaterial adaptability to different sizes and integration into technology reveals possibilities for compact energy sources. Ongoing research addresses scientific and economic challenges, paving the way for scaling metamaterial applications to commercial operations and emphasizing their importance in incorporating renewable energy into our technological milieu.