Project Structure and Background

The main objective of METRAMAT Doctoral Network project is to actively train young researchers to become skilled in metamaterial development by researching and creating a combined set of design, simulation, manufacturing, testing, reliability assessment and integration tools that will strengthen the European manufacturing industry and lead to a sustainable society.

The manufacturing industry is fundamental to the technological sovereignty and competitiveness of the European economy. To maintain the leading position, the sector requires continuous innovations, exploring the limits of material properties. This is particularly the case in high-end technology applications, such as lithography machines and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) industry, where the limits of conventional materials come into sight. Metamaterials, built up from rationally, pre-designed architected substructures, hold the promise to outperform conventional materials and redefine the boundaries of industrial design practices. The metamaterial potential can drive the much-needed transformational changes in European manufacturing industry. However, the wide-spread use of metamaterials is hindered by the lack of knowledge of (i) design-for-production principles for metamaterials, (ii) integration at component and system level and (iii) design-for-reliability of metamaterials. METRAMAT will train and deliver 10 researchers skilled in metamaterial development by researching and creating a combined set of design, simulation, manufacturing, testing, reliability assessment and integration tools. The involvement of  MEMS, lithography and additive manufacturing industries ensures that scientific training is tuned to existing industrial challenges requiring new fundamental solutions, such as positioning accuracy, sensor sensitivity or shielding of external vibrational disturbances, with emphasis on design for manufacturability and reliability. Together with the transferable skills training, secondments and network, this will provide the doctoral candidates a strong basis for a successful career in industry or academia. The new scientific insights, engineering tools and educational programs to be developed within METRAMAT program will pave the way to wide-spread manufacturing and application of metamaterials in European industry, elevating it to the next level.

In view of the challenges identified above, the consortium has designed the methodology addressing the three main focus domains, forming the work packages: WP1 Design and Simulation, WP2 Manufacturing, Characterization and Reliability and WP3 System Integration. The work packages define the 10 different DC projects, shown in Figure 1. This creates a coherent program allowing for maximum cross-fertilization between different sub-projects across the distinct disciplines and application areas.