Paint-on metamaterial: Low cost fabrication of absorbers at X band frequencies

This paper presents a new “paint-on” method for low-cost, large-scale fabrication of metamaterials. Specifically, latex paint, silver conducting ink, and regular copy paper are used to create a perfect absorber working at X-band frequencies. The fabricated metamaterial is symmetrical and arranged in a cross-dipole like structure, making it polarization insensitive. Simulation results show absorbency depths of over 90% and near perfect reflection at all other frequencies. These results are obtained using a sandwiched layer of paint (insulator) between two paint conductor metallic planes made from silver ink, one of which contains the cross-dipoles. The approach demonstrates the viability of this new manufacturing method as a new way to create low-cost, large-scale high-performance meta-materials for a wide-range of real world applications. Material measurement and construction techniques are documented in addition to suggestions for improvement