Metamaterials can be used to perform mathematical operations like calculus

Advertisement
By Indo-Asian News Service | Updated: 13 January 2014 20:18 IST
Metamaterials can be used to perform mathematical operations like calculus
The future is here. So-called metamaterials - that can alter the properties of light waves often to render an object invisible - can also do computer's work.

Researchers have found that metamaterials could change the shape of an incoming light wave in ways that have the same effect as performing calculations on a computer.

"As a light wave goes through a block of metamaterial, by the time it comes out, it should have a shape that would be the result of mathematical operations," said Nader Engheta, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, US.

(Also see: 'Metamaterials' show promise for data transmission, wireless charging and more)

The research shows the technology could dramatically speed up calculations such as those used in image processing.

Advertisement

By running simulations of light waves passing through metamaterials, the team showed that the method could perform operations from calculus, such as taking derivatives - a measure of the rate of change in a mathematical equation, said the study published in the journal Science.

A metamaterial might bend light in one direction for some distance and then change, so that when it emerges, the light has been bent twice. This would allow for more complex kinds of calculations, added Engheta.

Advertisement

In the future, the metamaterial blocks do not have to be limited to one single mathematical operation, because the properties could be adjusted - for instance, the way it refracts or reflects light.

The idea is similar to liquid crystals, which can be altered with electric charges to make images on phone and computer displays, said the study.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Metamaterials
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max Alleged Geekbench Listing Leaked
  2. Nothing Phone 3 to Be Manufactured in India, Company Reveals Model Number
  3. OnePlus 13s Sale Starts Today in India: Check Price and Offers
  4. Top Smartphones Under Rs 30,000 in India (June 2025): Check List
  5. OnePlus Nord 5 Allegedly Spotted on Geekbench With This Chipset
  6. Poco F7 Spotted on Geekbench With Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 12GB of RAM
  7. Realme 15 Pro Tipped to Launch in India in These Colour Options
  1. Microsoft 365 Copilot Vulnerable to Zero-Click EchoLeak Exploit, Cybersecurity Researchers Say
  2. Samsung Rolls Out One UI 8 Beta 2 Update for Galaxy S25 Series in Select Countries
  3. Amazon Prime Video Now Shows Twice As Much Ads As Before: Report
  4. iPhone 17 Pro Series Allegedly Listed on Geekbench; Scores Higher Than Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC
  5. Samsung Galaxy Buds Core, Buds 3 FE Surface in Galaxy Buds Controller App: Report
  6. OnePlus 13 to Be Used for All BGMI Matches at Upcoming BGMS 2025 Tournament
  7. Sony Announces Limited-Period Discount on Audio Products in India for World Music Day
  8. Brazil's Top Court Votes to Hold Social Media Platforms Accountable for User Posts
  9. Nintendo Switch 2 Closer to Xbox Series S Than PS4 in Power, Says Koei Tecmo
  10. Nothing Phone 3 to Be Manufactured in India, Company Reveals Portion of Rear Panel With Model Number
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.