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Vol. 18 (2026)

Annular Microfluidic Meta-Atom Fusion-Enabled Broadband Metamaterial Absorber

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-02018-2
Jinpeng Peng
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Yi Zhang
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Zihao Chen
School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Qiye Wen
School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Shaomeng Wang
School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Yaoyao Li
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Aiwu Zhou
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Zhengnan Sun
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Xiaohui Mu
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China
Xiaosheng Zhang
School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Xiaosheng Zhang

zhangxs@uestc.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 169

Abstract

Electromagnetic (EM) metamaterial absorbers (MMAs) with broadband absorption are of growing interest for applications such as stealth and EM interference mitigation. In this work, we present a novel 3D-printed MMA based on a fused annular microfluidic meta-atom (FAMMA) architecture, designed for W-band absorption. The FAMMA structure features three kinds of orthogonally fused annual meta-atoms, forming a complex 3D microfluidic meta-atom with intricate architecture. Fabricated via high-precision micro 3D printing technology, the FAMMA-based MMA exploits the synergistic solid–liquid coupling effect of the unique three-dimensional orthogonal structure to achieve strong broadband absorption. Three representative FAMMAs with different geometric dimensions have achieved ultra-low reflection loss (RL of − 42.1 dB), ultra-broadband effective absorption bandwidth (EAB of 31.3 GHz), and dual-band absorption (in 76.0–85.3 and 99.1–105.6 GHz), respectively. The underlying absorption mechanisms are elucidated by impedance matching theory and electromagnetic field distribution analyses. Application demonstrations show that the FAMMA-based MMA significantly suppresses radar echo power and renders metallic targets undetectable to both radar detector and radar imaging systems, highlighting its potential in stealth technology. Overall, this work establishes a new design concept for high-performance broadband millimeter wave MMAs, opening new avenue for future applications such as high-speed communication, through-wall sensing, and drone detection.


Highlights:
1 Unique 3D-printed electromagnetic metamaterial absorber based on a fused annular microfluidic meta-atom architecture.
2 Synergistic solid-liquid coupling effect of the unique three-dimensional orthogonal structure to achieve strong broadband absorption.
3 High-performance broadband absorption for millimeter wave.

Keywords

Metamaterial absorber MMA 3D printing Additive manufacturing Radar stealth
Peng, Jinpeng, Yi Zhang, Zihao Chen, Qiye Wen, Shaomeng Wang, Yaoyao Li, Aiwu Zhou, Zhengnan Sun, Xiaohui Mu, and Xiaosheng Zhang. 2026. “Annular Microfluidic Meta-Atom Fusion-Enabled Broadband Metamaterial Absorber”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (January):169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-02018-2.
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