Dual-Functional Programmable Metasurface with Zero Static Power Based on Liquid Metal

The switching devices based on metasurfaces suffer from high power consumption, metal fatigue, and unforeseen crosstalk. To address these challenges, liquid metal has been explored as a novel approach to reconfigure passive metasurfaces with zero static power. The integration of liquid metal, a grating-structured microfluidic chip, and a passive metasurface enables to achieve programmable reflection and transmission characteristics, rendering a dual-functional programmable metasurface (DFPM). Specifically, DFPM can realize the programmable reflection phases by tuning the passive metasurface with liquid metal. In addition, upon being decoupled from the passive metasurface, the microfluidic chip transforms into an independent liquid metal metasurface that exhibits programmable transmission resonant frequencies, a feature that holds promising applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The microfluidic chip employs a grating structure to achieve individual control over each unit, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of fabrication and control. Moreover, when applied in MRI, this grating structured microfluidic metasurface offers exceptionally uniform magnetic field enhancement capability and a broad frequency tuning range. Significantly, the flexible microfluidic substrate and liquid metal enhance the conformal adaptability of the metasurface, positioning it as a promising candidate for wearable devices and flexible electronics.