3D printing metamaterials for highly efficient electromagnetic wave absorption

Metamaterials (MMs) with artificial structures have extraordinary physical properties that cannot be found in traditional materials. MMs with electromagnetic wave absorption (MMAs) can be prepared through the structural design and arrangement of unit structures with special physical properties. These unit structures at the subwavelength scale are fundamental for MMAs to surpass the performance limits of bulk materials, so the matching of manufacturing processes is particularly important. The rapidly developing three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has shown great advantages and potential in manufacturing complex materials and structures, providing a simple, rapid, and efficient manufacturing method for researching and preparing MMAs. In this review, we introduce the concept and development of MMAs and focus on the research status of using 3D printing technology to manufacture MMAs. Furthermore, we briefly introduce their typical applications, discuss the inadequacies of the current development of MMs and the limitations of 3D printing technology in preparing MMAs, and propose the prospects for developing the combination of MMs and 3D printing.