polymers

Article
A Tunable and Wearable Dual-Band Metamaterial Absorber
Based on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Substrate for
Sensing Applications
Qana A. Alsulami 1 , S. Wageh 2, * , Ahmed A. Al-Ghamdi 2 , Rana Muhammad Hasan Bilal 3 and
Muhammad Ahsan Saeed 4, *

1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
3 Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology,
Topi 23640, Pakistan
4 School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
* Correspondence: [email protected] (S.W.); [email protected] (M.A.S.)

Abstract: Advanced wireless communication technology claims miniaturized, reconfigurable, highly

efficient, and flexible meta-devices for various applications, including conformal implementation,
flexible antennas, wearable sensors, etc. Therefore, bearing these challenges in mind, a dual-band
flexible metamaterial absorber (MMA) with frequency-reconfigurable characteristics is developed
in this research. The geometry of the proposed MMA comprises a square patch surrounded by a
square ring, which is mounted over a copper-backed flexible dielectric substrate. The top surface of
the MMA is made of silver nanoparticle ink and a middle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate
backed by a copper groundsheet. The proposed MMA shows an absorption rate of above 99% at 24
and 35 GHz. In addition, the absorption features are also studied for different oblique incident angles,
Citation: Alsulami, Q.A.; Wageh, S.;
and it is found that the proposed MMA remains stable for θ = 10–50◦ . The frequency tunability
Al-Ghamdi, A.A.; Bilal, R.M.H.;
characteristics are achieved by stimulating the capacitance of the varactor diode, which connects the
Saeed, M.A. A Tunable and Wearable
Dual-Band Metamaterial Absorber
inner patch with the outer ring. To justify the robustness and conformability of the presented MMA,
Based on Polyethylene Terephthalate the absorption features are also studied by bending the MMA over different radii of an arbitrary
(PET) Substrate for Sensing cylinder. Moreover, a multiple-reflection interference model is developed to justify the simulated and
Applications. Polymers 2022, 14, 4503. calculated absorption of the proposed MMA. It is found that the simulated and calculated results are
https://doi.org/10.3390/ in close agreement with each other. This kind of MMA could be useful for dual-band sensing and
polym14214503 filtering operations.
Academic Editor: Subhadip Mondal
Keywords: metamaterial; silver-nanoparticle; wearable; tunable; PET; absorber; Kapton; polymer
Received: 5 October 2022
Accepted: 21 October 2022
Published: 25 October 2022

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral 1. Introduction

with regard to jurisdictional claims in Metamaterials are artificially-engineered synthetic materials having periodic arrange-
published maps and institutional affil- ments of sub-wavelength metallic/dielectric structures or resonators. In recent years,
iations. metamaterials have demanded a lot of recognition, due to their exotic and unique attributes
such as negative-refraction, microwave cloaking, absorption of the inverse Doppler effect,
etc. [1–8]. After the investigation of the first ‘perfect meta-absorber’ proposed in 2008 [4],
MMAs have drawn significant interest from the microwave and optics community. These
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
MMAs have multifarious features compared with the conventional Salisbury absorbers,
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
such as a low-profile and light weight [9]. Moreover, they are thinner, more compact, and
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
more efficient than conventional absorbers. They have many applications for wireless com-
conditions of the Creative Commons
munication and other optical systems, including MIMO antenna isolation, EM interference
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
reduction, stealth technology, and solar photovoltaics [10–15].
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ In the literature, several investigations have been carried out in this exciting area
4.0/). of MMAs from the microwave-visible spectrum [16–22]. Most of the reported work is

Polymers 2022, 14, 4503. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214503 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers

Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 2 of 13

based on rigid substrates without frequency spectrum reconfigurable abilities. The authors
in [23] presented a multi-band metamaterial absorber fabricated on an FR4 substrate at
the corresponding frequency points of 4.11, 7.91, 10.13, and 11.51 GHz. The metamate-
rial absorber reported in [24] contains wideband features having the operating range of
7–12.8 GHz, which is also developed on a rigid substrate. Similarly, different multi-band
MMAs have been proposed in [16,25,26] which are also fabricated on rigid/solid substrates.
Moreover, most of the present literature and investigations are based on the solid/rigid
substrates [17,27,28] However, many applications required a flexible MMA with features
such as the mitigation of multipath effects in a radome or the reducing of scattering noise
in automotive radars. The authors in [29], going a step further, proposed a single-band
tunable MMA ranging from 4.35 to 5.85 GHz. Such MMAs can have applications in
software-defined radios. The authors in [30] presented single and dual-band absorbers
at 77, 95, and 110 GHz on a flexible polyimide substrate. In [31], the authors proposed a
dual-band flexible MMA with absorption peaks at 16.77 and 30.92 GHz.
Recent and modern communication systems and technological development in mi-
crowaves and optics require devices with multifarious features of miniaturization, cost-
effectiveness, tuneability, and flexibility. To see contemporary advancement and evolution
in the field of metasurfaces, a lot of research can be done to meet the modern standards of
communication systems. Most of the recent meta-devices are fabricated on rigid and hard
substrates, but the world is not flat and smooth: a lot of applications include curvilinear
surfaces, conformal implementation, and wearable sensors [32], etc. where soft and flexible
devices are needed [33]. Furthermore, modern communication systems demand efficient
and multiband metasurfaces, to meet their future requirements. Therefore, the quest for
flexible and tunable metasurfaces is inevitable.
Multi-band and tunable MMAs are well explored in the literature; however, a flexible
MMA with the added functionalities of frequency reconfigurability at microwave frequen-
cies has not been investigated yet. This paper bridges this gap by proposing a dual-band
tunable MMA on a flexible PET substrate for communication applications such as MIMO
antenna isolation, wearable sensors, and anti-jamming. The major contributions and nov-
elty of this work are as follows: (1) a highly efficient dual-band MMA with an absorption
rate of more than 99%. (2) Implementation of the dynamic tuning control on the proposed
MMA by employing an active tuning element, i.e., a varactor diode. (3) The proposed
MMA is designed on the flexible substrate of PET. (4) Finally, it is a bendable MMA with
the additional features of frequency reconfigurability. Furthermore, the proposed research
would be a valuable addition to the stream of tunable and conformable metasurfaces, and
this also provides insight into implementing the smart meta-devices and reconfigurable
intelligent surfaces (RISs) for future 6G communication applications.
The remainder of the paper is ordered as follows: Section 2 illustrates the literature
survey on different kinds of metamaterial-based structures, including rigid, tunable, and
flexible absorbers. The geometry and analytical part of the proposed metamaterial absorber
are explained in Section 3. Section 4 discusses the different types of flexibility frameworks
on which various kinds of microwave and optical devices can be wrapped to perform
the bending analysis. The simulation results are briefly elaborated in Section 5. Multiple-
reflection theory phenomena are highlighted in Section 6. Finally, the conclusion of the
paper is elucidated in Section 7.

2. Literature Review
In this section, we briefly discuss the trends and state of the art of non-flexible, tunable,
and flexible metamaterial absorbers.

2.1. Non-Flexible Absorbers

After the investigation of Landy’s seminal work on perfect metamaterial absorbers [5],
there has been huge interest in the different microwave and optics communities in the field
of metamaterial absorbers. In Landy’s initial work, they used a rigid/solid substrate of FR-4
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 3 of 13

to design the single and narrow-band absorbing device at 11.5 GHz. They also exploited
and optimized the same unit cell to construct the metamaterial absorber for the terahertz
band [34]. Thereafter, people started to explore metamaterial-based absorbers for dual-band,
tri-band, multi-band, and wideband operation, targeting different operating spectrums
including microwave, terahertz, visible and infrared [19,35–37]. Huang et al. investigated
the tri-band perfect metamaterial absorber by designing three different sizes of square-
shaped rings [38]. Afterward, Shen et al. also designed a tri-band perfect metamaterial
absorber by using multiple resonators of different dimensions [39]. Furthermore, people
started to study different techniques to implement multi-band and wideband metamaterial
absorbers for different operating ranges. Usually, multi-layered- and multi-resonator-based
configurations are used to enhance the bandwidth of the metamaterial-based absorber [27,39].
Shen and his co-workers arranged multiple layers in a vertical direction to enhance the
absorption spectrum of metamaterial in the microwave regime [27]. A similar research
group also designed the broadband metamaterial absorber in the terahertz band [40].
Moreover, people moved further and also explored the metamaterial-based absorbing
structures in the visible and infrared spectrum. They used different types of plasmonic
materials to explore the applications of metamaterial absorbers in solar photovoltaics and
thermal emission. Hung et al. proposed an ultra-wideband metamaterial absorber for the
visible light spectrum [41]. Cui et al. also presented the wideband metamaterial absorber
for visible light applications [42]. All the aforementioned reported metamaterial-based
absorbers have fixed operating frequencies and are designed/fabricated on rigid/solid
substrates. Therefore, these features (fixed frequency and solid substrate) restrict their
use to tunable and reconfigurable devices. Furthermore, these presented metamaterial
absorbers cannot be used for cylindrical and spherical surfaces.

2.2. Tunable Absorbers

As we discussed earlier, due to the fixed operating frequency of most of the available
metamaterial absorbers, they cannot be integrated/implemented with tunable and recon-
figurable microwave and optical devices. Therefore, there is a strong need to study and
investigate the design methods of tunable and reconfigurable metamaterials. A different
type of tuning strategy can be used to implement the tunable metamaterials, depending
on the operating spectrum of the discussed metamaterials [29,43–46]. In the microwave
regime, active elements (PIN & varactor diodes) are used to tune the operating frequency
and steer the beam of the metamaterial-based structure [29]. Zhao et al. investigated
tunable metamaterial absorbers with the integration of a varactor diode. They tuned the
absorption peak of the proposed metamaterial absorber by actively controlling the reverse
bias voltage (capacitance) of the participating varactor diode [29]. In addition, a tunable
metamaterial absorber is also presented in [43], which is designed for microwave frequen-
cies. The operating frequency of this absorber is also reconfigured through the inclusion
of a varactor diode in the geometry of the metamaterial. Furthermore, tunable metama-
terial absorbers can also be developed for terahertz bands. In the terahertz band, usually,
graphene and phase-change materials are employed to design tunable metamaterial-based
devices [44–46]. Huang et al. proposed a tunable metamaterial absorber, by captivating the
phase changeability of a dielectric material, strontium titanate (STO), which changes its
permittivity with the influence of varying temperatures [44]. Next, Lei and his colleagues
studied the thermally tunable metamaterial absorber by embedding a phase-change mate-
rial, vanadium dioxide (VO2), which changes from an insulating to a metallic state with
the variation of temperature [45]. A graphene-based tunable metamaterial absorber is also
designed in [46] for the terahertz band. Moreover, for visible and infrared metamaterial
absorbers, tunable features are introduced by incorporating the phase-change material,
germanium-antimony-tellurium (GST), or liquid crystal [47,48].
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 4 of 13

2.3. Flexible Absorbers

In addition to the tunable functionalities of metamaterial-based absorbers, the latest
and most contemporary communication systems, and the areas of industrial growth in
microwave and optical devices involve devices with diverse features of miniaturization,
cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. For designing and implementing the flexible metama-
terial absorbers, plenty of flexible substrates such as polyamide, polymer, paper, rubber,
Kapton, etc. are used [49]. Until now, several flexible meta-absorbers have also been
investigated, ranging from GHz to THz frequencies. The authors implemented the inkjet-
printed absorber based on the silver nanoparticle, mounted over a flexible substrate of
paper. This flexible absorber was designed for the x-band of microwave frequencies, and
manifests a narrowband absorption peak at 9.09 GHz [50]. Furthermore, Hao et al. [51]
also studied the dual-band flexible metasurface absorber for THz frequencies. They used
polyamide substrate as a flexible dielectric material to attain flexible features. In addition
to these flexible absorbers, many applications including radars and stealth, etc., required
stretchable/flexible metamaterial absorbers to absorb the unwanted EM signals [11,26].
Riad and his team [52] designed the THz flexible absorber for infrared stealth applications.
Similarly, Krzysztof et al. also implemented the flexible metamaterial absorber for the THz
band. In this work, a simple and easily fabricable ring resonator was imprinted on the
flexible substrate of polyimide [11]. Similarly, Tao et al. designed the narrow-band THz
absorber, which worked on a single operating point of 1.6 THz [53]. By adopting similar
methods, a highly efficient flexible metamaterial absorber can be designed for any desired
operating frequency.

3. Geometry, Analytical Treatment and Simulation Setup

3.1. Theory of Metamaterial Absorbers
The general principle of the absorber is based on the transmission theory of EM waves.
The input impedance of the MMA should be perfectly matched with the impedance of
the incoming EM wave incident on the MMA. Due to the impedance matching, the EM
waves are not reflected, and they are trapped in the lossy dielectric, resulting in enhanced
absorption. The imaginary part of the refractive index of the MMA is made as large as
possible, due to which the EM waves are absorbed in the dielectric material. The absorption
of the MMA can be calculated using the following equations [21,54]:

A(ω ) = 1 − R(ω ) − T (ω ) (1)

A(ω ) = 1 − |S11 (ω )|2 − |S21 (ω )|2 (2)

where A(ω) is the absorption, R(ω ) is the reflection and T (ω ) is the transmission of the
MMA. Since the ground plane is fully coated with the metal in the device configuration of
MMA, the transmission is zero. The absorption is calculated using the reflection coefficient
expressed in terms of the scattering parameter.

A(ω ) = 1 − |S11 (ω )|2 (3)

3.2. Design of Meta-Unit Cell

The unit cell [38] of the proposed tunable and flexible MMA is shown in Figure 2,
and is considered due to its simplicity and is inspired by the previous work [55]. The
unit cell consists of a metallic patch with a metal square ring at the outside mounted
over a 0.27 mm thick PET substrate. The two absorption peaks correspond to the two
meta-rings, present in the main unit cell. The lower-frequency peak is owing to the outer
square ring, and the higher-frequency peak originates due to the inner square patch. The
dielectric constant (ε R ) and the loss tangent (tanδ) of the PET substrate are 2.9 and 0.019,
respectively. The bottom ground layer is made up of copper with a conductivity (σ) of
5.8 × 107 S/m. Silver is used for the top layer. The optimized design parameters of the
proposed MMA are as follows: P = 3 mm, L1 = 2.31 mm, L2 = 1.5 mm, W = 0.205 mm,
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 5 of 13

constant (𝜀 ) and the loss tangent (𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿) of the PET substrate are 2.9 and 0.019, respec-
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 tively. The bottom ground layer is made up of copper with a conductivity (σ) of 5.8×10 5 of 713
S/m. Silver is used for the top layer. The optimized design parameters of the proposed
MMA are as follows: P = 3 mm, L1 = 2.31 mm, L2 = 1.5 mm, W = 0.205 mm, S = 0.16 mm.
For
S =tuning
0.16 mm.andForreconfigurability features, active
tuning and reconfigurability elements,
features, a PIN
active diode,aand
elements, PINadiode,
varactor and
diode can be used. Active elements are available in many configurations,
a varactor diode can be used. Active elements are available in many configurations, but their inte-
but
gration in the metamaterial-based
their integration structuresstructures
in the metamaterial-based dependsdepends
on the operating frequency
on the operating spec-
frequency
trum. For theFor
spectrum. present work, the
the present tunability
work, of the unit
the tunability ofcell
theisunit
achieved
cell isby placing by
achieved a MACOM
placing a
varactor diode model MAVR–011020–1411 [56] between
MACOM varactor diode model MAVR-011020-1411 [56] between the inner patch the inner patch and outer
andring,
outer
which has a dynamic
ring, which range of
has a dynamic capacitance
range from 32–216
of capacitance fF. PINfF.
from 32–216 diodes can also
PIN diodes canbealso
usedbe
for tuning
used purposes,
for tuning but have
purposes, only
but have two states
only two(ON or (ON
states OFF).orConversely, the varactor
OFF). Conversely, diode
the varactor
has multiple states, which give us more freedom to tune the spectral characteristics
diode has multiple states, which give us more freedom to tune the spectral characteristics of the
proposed MMA. The resonance frequency of the unit cell changes by
of the proposed MMA. The resonance frequency of the unit cell changes by changing the changing the capac-
itance of the of
capacitance varactor diode.diode.
the varactor The equivalent
The equivalent circuit model
circuit modelof the used
of the usedvaractor
varactor diode
diodeisis
illustrated
illustratedininFigure
Figure1a,
1a,where
whereR, R, LL and
and C C represent
represent the resistance, inductance,
the resistance, inductance,and andvariable
varia-
ble capacitance
capacitance of of
thethe varactor
varactor diode,
diode, respectively.
respectively. Here,
Here, R isRfixed,
is fixed, considered
considered as 4asΩ,
4 Ω,
andand L is
Ltaken
is taken as 0.4
as 0.4 nH.nH.TheThe proposed
proposed MMA MMA is simulated
is simulated using
using CST CST Microwave
Microwave Studio
Studio soft-
software.
ware. The optimized
The optimized geometric
geometric parameters
parameters of theofproposed
the proposedMMA MMA are shown
are shown in Figure
in Figure 1b. 1b.

Figure
Figure1.1.Design
Designspecification
specificationofofthe
theproposed
proposedMMA:
MMA: (a)(a) RLC
RLC equivalent
equivalent circuit model of
circuit model of the
the varactor
varac-
tor diode,
diode, andand
(b)(b) schematic
schematic of of
thethe meta-unit
meta-unit cell
cell of of
thethe proposed
proposed MMA.
MMA.

4.4.Flexibility
FlexibilityFramework
Framework
Usually,
Usually,conventional
conventional electronic
electronic andandoptical
opticaldevices
devicesareare implemented
implemented onon rigid
rigid andand
non-
non-flexible substrates,
flexible substrates, which
which makemake themthem unsuitable
unsuitable for advanced
for advanced integrated
integrated optoelec-
optoelectronic
tronic devices.
devices. Modern Moderndevicesdevices including
including antennas
antennas and metasurfaces
and metasurfaces are fabricated
are fabricated on
on flexible
flexible substrates,
substrates, to maketotheir
make their integration
integration and implementation
and implementation possiblepossible
where we where
needwe need
to mount
toflexible
mountdevices
flexibleon devices on cylindrical
cylindrical and non-flatandsurfaces.
non-flat Therefore,
surfaces. Therefore, in this
in this section, wesection,
discuss
we discuss all the possible flexibility frameworks or bending operating conditions
all the possible flexibility frameworks or bending operating conditions at which the at
desired
which the desired metasurface or flexible device can be wrapped or rolled over an arbi-or
metasurface or flexible device can be wrapped or rolled over an arbitrary uniform
trary uniform shape,
non-uniform or non-uniform shape,sphere,
i.e., a cylinder, i.e., a cylinder,
cone, etc. sphere, cone, etc.
The flexibility The flexibility
framework can be
framework
categorized canin be categorized
various ways, suchin various
as ways, such as
Structural
Structuralbending
bending
Non-structural
Non-structuralbending
bending
Uniform bending
Uniform bending
Non-uniform
Non-uniformbendingbending
Control bending
Control bending
Uncontrolledbending
Uncontrolled bending
Here,we
Here, webriefly
briefly discuss
discuss thethe details
detailsofofthe
themost
mostcommonly-used
commonly-used bending
bending environment
environ-
(structural, uniform, and non-uniform), one
ment (structural, uniform, and non-uniform), one by one. by one.

4.1. Cylindrical Bending

In this type of working environment, a flexible metamaterial is bent or folded over
an arbitrary cylinder of different radii to predict its spectral characteristics. This type of
environment lies in the domain of structural and uniform bending. To precisely observe
the performance stability of the required flexible device, we bend the examined flexible
device for different values of an arbitrary cylindrical shape. From a practical point of view,
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 6 of 13

there are many applications where we mount the flexible device on the cylindrical surface
like a human arm, pillars, or walls in buildings. For example, for on-body applications, a
flexible antenna is rolled on a human arm, to observe its efficiency and stability. In large
buildings, to efficiently and intelligently reflect the signals or steer the beams in the desired
location, we implemented the flexible reflective intelligent metasurfaces on the different
pillars of the buildings.

4.2. Spherical Bending

This section deals with the spherical bending of flexible devices or metamaterials. In
this type of bending, a flexible device is bent on an arbitrary sphere, for its bending analysis
to be performed. The spherical bending analysis is very useful for various applications,
including radar absorbers based on flexible metamaterials and reflect-array antennae for
breast cancer applications. This kind of bending condition is also classified as structural
and uniform bending.

4.3. Conical Bending

Conical bending can also be performed for a more rigorous analysis of flexible devices
or metamaterials. This type of bending analysis can be considered as structural and non-
uniform bending. Under these operating conditions, a flexible metamaterial is wrapped
over a cone of a non-uniform radius, to observe its performance under a harsh environment.

5. Simulation Results and Discussion

In this section, the spectral characteristics of the proposed MMA are analyzed and
studied under different operating environments. The operating frequency of the traditional
MMAs is fixed, and cannot be changed after fabrication. On the other hand, tunable MMAs
can be used for a wide range of frequencies, which makes them more desirable for practical
application. Figure 2 illustrates the absorption rates of the proposed MMA at different
capacitance values of the varactor diode. Absorption features of the designed MMA are
inspected by varying the capacitance of the varactor diode ranging from 32–56 fF; the
reason for choosing this specific set of capacitance values is the better performance of the
MMA in this dynamic range. As we vary the capacitance of the proposed MMA from
32 fF to 56√ fF, the two absorption peaks manifest red-shift in their operating range, i.e.,
f = 1/2λ LC, where L and C are the inductance and capacitance values of the varactor
diode, respectively. The lower operating band shows a gradual decrease in its absorption
peak, while the higher operating band maintains its absorption value.
The flexibility and conformability of the proposed MMA give it many advantages over
the traditional MMAs, such as lighter weight, more durability, and easy integration onto
unusual surfaces such as spheres or cylinders. The MMA bending over different radii is
shown in Figure 3, and the respective absorption performance spectra are given in Figure 4.
The extreme bending limit can be estimated from P = 2πR, where P is the periodicity
of the device and R is the radius of an arbitrary cylinder. The absorption of the proposed
MMA remains unchanged (except for the operating frequency of the higher operating band)
when it is wrapped over an arbitrary cylinder of different radii, namely R = ∞, 10 mm,
8 mm, 4 mm, and 1.5 mm. When the MMA is bent over the small radii of an arbitrary
cylinder, the absorption value of the lower operating band starts decreasing because the
outer square ring vanishes (is compressed) within an extreme bending condition. Based on
this bending analysis of the proposed MMA, it can easily be integrated onto cylindrical
and spherical surfaces, and find applications in flexible devices and wearable sensors.
Angle insensitivity is very important for MMA, since the EM waves can strike the
MMA surface at any incident angle. Therefore, it is very necessary to analyze the angular
robustness of the proposed MMA under the influence of different incident angles. Figure 5
illustrates the absorption rates of the designed MMA at different incident angle θ, where θ
is the angle between the z-axis and the propagation vector. It can be seen from Figure 6
that the absorption rate is greater than 90% under the inspection of various incident angles
 1.00
C = 32 fF
0.75
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 7 of 13
0.50

0.25
10–50◦ . Therefore, it can be predicted that the proposed MMA remains robust for the
from1.00
0.00
oblique incident angles of C =the
40incident
fF EM waves.
0.75
Table 1 highlights the absorption characteristics of proposed MMA over the bending
0.50
of different radii of an arbitrary cylinder, under the stimulus of different states of a varactor 7 of 13
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503

Absorption
diode.
0.25 For better analysis, and under the impact of bending for different varactor states,
we will discuss a few cases step by step.
0.00
1.00
C = 48 fF
0.75
1.00
0.50 C = 32 fF
0.75
0.25
0.50
0.00
1.00
0.25 C = 56 fF
0.75
0.00
1.00
0.50 C = 40 fF
0.75
0.25
0.50
0.00
Absorption

15 20 25 30 35 40
0.25 Frequency (GHz)
0.00
1.00
Figure 2. Tuning mechanism of absorption rate of the proposed MMA at different capacitance val-
C = 48 fF
ues of the varactor diode; here, C shows the value of the capacitance of the varactor diode.
0.75

0.50
The flexibility and conformability of the proposed MMA give it many advantages
over0.25
the traditional MMAs, such as lighter weight, more durability, and easy integration
onto unusual surfaces such as spheres or cylinders. The MMA bending over different radii
0.00
1.00
is shown in Figure 3, and C the
= 56respective
fF absorption performance spectra are given in Fig-
ure 0.75
4. The extreme bending limit can be estimated from 𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑅, where P is the periodic-
ity of the device and R is the radius of an arbitrary cylinder. The absorption of the pro-
0.50
posed MMA remains unchanged (except for the operating frequency of the higher oper-
0.25
ating band) when it is wrapped over an arbitrary cylinder of different radii, namely R =
∞, 10 mm, 8 mm, 4 mm, and 1.5 mm. When the MMA is bent over the small radii of an
0.00
arbitrary 15 cylinder,
20 the absorption
25 30value of35the lower 40 operating band starts decreasing be-
Frequency (GHz)
cause the outer square ring vanishes (is compressed) within an extreme bending condi-
tion. Based
Figure
Figure on this
2.2.Tuning
Tuning bendingofanalysis
mechanism
mechanism of rate
absorption the proposed
of absorption ofrate
the of MMA,
the
proposed it can
proposed
MMA easilyatbecapacitance
atMMA
different integrated
different onto
capacitance
values val-
cylindrical
ues ofvaractor
of the and
the varactorspherical
diode;diode; surfaces,
here, Chere,
showsC theand
shows find
valuethe applications
of value in flexible
of the capacitance
the capacitance devices
of the
of the varactor and wearable
varactor diode.
diode.
sensors.
The flexibility and conformability of the proposed MMA give it many advantages
over the traditional MMAs, such as lighter weight, more durability, and easy integration
onto unusual surfaces such as spheres or cylinders. The MMA bending over different radii
is shown in Figure 3, and the respective absorption performance spectra are given in Fig-
ure 4. The extreme bending limit can be estimated from 𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑅, where P is the periodic-
ity of the device and R is the radius of an arbitrary cylinder. The absorption of the pro-
posed MMA remains unchanged (except for the operating frequency of the higher oper-
ating band) when it is wrapped over an arbitrary cylinder of different radii, namely R =
∞, 10 mm, 8 mm, 4 mm, and 1.5 mm. When the MMA is bent over the small radii of an
arbitrary cylinder,
Figure 3. Schematic
Figure 3. Schematic the absorption
diagram
diagram
of bending value
analysisofofthe
of bending analysis of the lower
the proposed
proposedoperating
MMA over
MMA over band starts
the radii
the radii decreasing be-
of different
of different
arbitrary cylinders, (a) R = 10 mm, (b) R = 2 mm, and (c) R = 1.5 mm. In this fig., the smaller the value
cause the
arbitrary outer (a)
cylinders, square
R = 10 ring vanishes
mm, (b) (isand
R = 2 mm, compressed)
(c) R = 1.5 mm.within an the
In this fig., extreme
smaller bending
the value condi-
of the radius (R), the larger the bending condition.
tion.
of the Based on the
radius (R), thislarger
bending analysis
the bending of the proposed MMA, it can easily be integrated onto
condition.
cylindrical and spherical surfaces, and find applications in flexible devices and wearable
sensors.
 0.50
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.75 R = 8 mm
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 0.50 8 of 13
8 of 13
0.25

Absorption
0.00
1.00
0.75 R = 4 mm
1.00
0.50
0.75
0.25 R=¥
0.50
1.00
0.00
0.25
0.75
0.00
1.00
R = 1.5 mm
0.50
0.75 R = 10 mm
0.25
0.50
0.00
1.00
0.25
0.75
0.00
1.00 R = 1 mm
0.50
0.75 R = 8 mm
0.50
0.25
0.25
0.00
1.00
Absorption

0.00
1.00
0.75 R = 0.7 mm
0.75
0.50 R = 4 mm
0.50
0.25
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.75
15 20 25
R = 1.5 mm 30 35 40
0.50 Frequency (GHz)
0.25
Figure
0.004. Bending analysis of the absorption rate of the proposed MMA at different radii of
1.00
trary0.75
cylinder. R = ∞ showsRno= bending
1 mm conditions, whereas R = 0.7 mm indicates extreme
0.50
conditions.
0.25
0.00
1.00
Angle insensitivityRis=very
0.75 0.7 mmimportant for MMA, since the EM waves can st
MMA 0.50surface at any incident angle. Therefore, it is very necessary to analyze the
0.25
robustness
0.00
of the proposed MMA under the influence of different incident angles
5 illustrates
15 the20absorption
25 rates 30of the designed
35 40MMA at different incident angle 𝜃
𝜃 is the angle between Frequency (GHz)
the z-axis and the propagation vector. It can be seen from F
that
Figurethe
Figure 4. absorption
4. Bending
Bending analysisrate
analysis ofis
of thegreater
the than
absorption
absorption 90%
rate
rate ofoftheunder
the theMMA
proposed
proposed inspection
MMA of various
at different
at different radii
radii ofinciden
of an an arbi-
from
trary 10–50°.
cylinder.
arbitrary RTherefore,
cylinder.= R∞ =shows no
∞ shows it bending
can be predicted
conditions,
no bending conditions,that theRproposed
whereas
whereas R= =
0.70.7mm MMA
indicatesremains
mmindicates extreme robus
extreme bending
oblique
conditions. incident angles of the incident EM waves.
bending conditions.

Angle insensitivity is very important for MMA, since the EM waves can strike the
MMA surface at any incident angle. Therefore, it is very necessary to analyze the angular
robustness of the proposed MMA under the influence of different incident angles. Figure
5 illustrates the absorption rates of the designed MMA at different incident angle 𝜃, where
𝜃 is the angle between the z-axis and the propagation vector. It can be seen from Figure 6
that the absorption rate is greater than 90% under the inspection of various incident angles
from 10–50°. Therefore, it can be predicted that the proposed MMA remains robust for the
oblique incident angles of the incident EM waves.

Figure
Figure 5.5.The
The absorption
absorption rate
rate of theof the proposed
proposed MMA at MMA
differentatincidence
different incidence
angles angles
of the EM of the EM
waves.
θ represents
θ represents thethe incident
incident angleangle of the incoming
of the incoming EM waves.
EM waves.

Figure 5. The absorption rate of the proposed MMA at different incidence angles of the EM waves.
 Polymers2022,
Polymers 2022,14,
14,4503
4503 99 of
of 13
13

Figure6.6.Illustration
Figure Illustrationand
andschematic
schematicof
ofthe
themultiple-reflection
multiple-reflectionmodel
modelofofthe
theproposed
proposedMMA.
MMA.

Table 1 highlights the absorption characteristics of proposed MMA over the bending
of different
Table radii
1. Detailed of an arbitrary
bending analysis ofcylinder, under
the proposed MMA thefor
stimulus
differentofstates
different
of thestates of diode
varactor a varac-
in
tor diode.
tabulated Forthere
form: better
are analysis,
four small and under
tables, thetopimpact
namely left, topofright,
bending
bottomfor different
left, varactor
and bottom right,
states, we will discuss a few cases step by step.
etc. All the tables indicate the bending of the proposed MMA by fixing the varactor state for each
case. In addition, Table 1 consists of different symbols, which are explained at the bottom of the table.
Table 1. Detailed bending analysis of the proposed MMA for different states of the varactor diode
in C
Varactor State, tabulated
= 32 fF form: there are four small tables, namely top left,
Varactor top C
State, right,
= 40bottom
fF left, and bottom
B ALP AHP right, etc. All
LOP the tables indicate
HOP the bending
B of the proposed
ALP MMA
AHP by fixing the
LOP varactorHOPstate for
each case. In addition, Table 1 consists of different symbols, which are explained at the bottom of
R=∞ 100 100 24.04 34.93 R=∞ 99 92 22.916 32.629
the table.
R = 10 100 100 24.025 34.85 R = 10 93 98 23.30 32.60
Varactor State, C = 32 fF Varactor State, C = 40 fF
R=8 100 100 24 34.5 R=8 93 98 23.30 32.55
B ALP AHP LOP HOP B ALP AHP LOP HOP
R=4 99 97 24.025 34.62 R=4 93 97 23.30 32.525
R=∞ 100 100 24.04 34.93 R=∞ 99 92 22.916 32.629
R=2 99 94 R = 10 24.07 100 100
34.62 24.025 R = 2 34.85 90 R = 10 93
94 9823.32523.30 32.45 32.60
R = 1.5 98 91 R = 8 24.20 100 100
36 24 R = 1.5 34.5 85R=8 93
93 9823.325 23.30 32.55
32.50
R=1 55 95 R = 4 23.25 99 97
34.025 24.025R = 1 34.62 37R = 4 93
97 97 22.65 23.30 32.37532.525
R = 0.7 0 93 R = 2 X 99 94
35.40 24.07R = 0.734.62 0R = 2 90
98 94 X 23.325 33.325 32.45
R = 1.5
Varactor State, C = 48 fF 98 91 24.20 36 R = 1.5 85 93
Varactor State, C = 56 fF 23.325 32.50
R=1 55 95 23.25 34.025 R = 1 37 97 22.65 32.375
R=∞ 99 91 22.396 31.576 R=∞ 86 87 21.358 29.704
R = 0.7 0 93 X 35.40 R = 0.7 0 98 X 33.325
R = 10 86 98 22.70 31.925 R = 10 74 98 22.10 31.125
Varactor State, C = 48 fF Varactor State, C = 56 fF
R=8 88 98 R = ∞ 22.80 99 91
32.125 22.396R = 831.576 76 R=∞ 86
97 87 22.1521.358 31.22529.704
R=4 87 96 R = 10 22.725 86 98
31.925 22.70 31.925 R = 10
R = 4 76 74
96 9822.225 22.10 31.125
31.30
R=2 78 94 R = 8 22.625 88 98
31.55 22.80 R = 232.125 64R = 8 76
93 9722.02522.15 30.90 31.225
R = 1.5 78 93 R = 4 22.975 87 96
32.475 22.725
R = 1.531.925 62R = 4 76
93 9622.42522.225 31.75 31.30
R=1 22 98 R = 2 22.1078 94
31.475 22.625R=1 31.55 11R = 2 64
98 93 21.45 22.025 30.90
30.525
R = 0.7 0 99
R = 1.5 X 78 93
32.275
22.975
R = 0.7
32.475 R 0
= 1.5 62
100
93 X 22.425 31.175 31.75
R=1 22 98 22.10 31.475 R = 1 11 98 21.45 30.525
R = radius of a cylinder at which the absorber has been wrapped, C = capacitance of a varactor diode, X = operating
R =of0.7
point lower band 0 where absorption
99 isXzero, B 32.275
= bending, R = 0.7
ALP 0 at a lower
= absorption 100 point, AHP
X = absorption
31.175
atRa=higher
radiuspoint,
of a cylinder at which
LOP = lower the absorber
operating has
point, HOP been wrapped,
= higher C = capacitance of a varactor diode,
operating point.
X = operating point of lower band where absorption is zero, B = bending, ALP = absorption at a
lower point, AHP
Initially, = absorption
we consider theatcase
a higher
R = 1point,
mm, LOP = lower
C = 56 operating
fF. The point,value
absorption HOP =ofhigher oper-
the lower
ating point.band is only 11%. When we tune the C = 48 fF by keeping the bending fixed
operating
(R = 1 mm), the absorption starts to increase to 22%. Similarly for C = 40 fF and C = 32 fF,
keepingInitially, we consider
the bending fixed the
meanscasethe
R =absorption
1 mm, C = 56 fF. The to
increases absorption
37% and value of the lower
55% respectively.
operatingthe
However, band is only 11%.
absorption When we
is increases, buttune
the the C = 48 frequency
operating fF by keeping the
of the bending
lower bandfixed
shows (R
= 1 mm), the absorption starts to increase to 22%. Similarly for C =
a blue shift in its operating spectrum. Considering the situation R = 2 mm, C = 56 fF,40 fF and C = 32 fF,
keeping
the MMAthe bending fixed
demonstrates an means the absorption
absorption value of 64% increases to 37%operating
at the lower and 55%band.respectively.
When
However, the absorption is increases, but the operating frequency
we change the C = 48 fF by keeping the bending fixed (R = 2 mm), the absorption of the lowerstarts
band
shows a blue
increasing shift Similarly,
to 78%. in its operating
for C = spectrum.
40 fF andConsidering the situation
C = 32 fF, keeping R = 2 mm,
the bending C =the
fixed, 56
fF, the MMA demonstrates an absorption value of 64% at the lower operating band. When
we change the C = 48 fF by keeping the bending fixed (R = 2 mm), the absorption starts
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 10 of 13
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 10 of 13

increasing to 78%. Similarly, for C = 40 fF and C = 32 fF, keeping the bending fixed, the
absorption increases
absorption increases to
to 90%
90% and
and 99%
99% respectively.
respectively. Based
Based on
on this
this analysis,
analysis, the
the decrease
decrease in
in
the absorption peaks can be adjusted by carefully stimulating the state of a varactor diode.
the absorption peaks can be adjusted by carefully stimulating the state of a varactor diode.

6. Interference Theory and Analytical Calculation

6. Interference Theory and Analytical Calculation
In this section, a multiple-reflection theory-based scheme is presented to analyze
In this section, a multiple-reflection theory-based scheme is presented to analyze the
the transmitted and reflected waves inside the dielectric spacer which is supposed to
transmitted and reflected waves inside the dielectric spacer which is supposed to function
function as a cavity model. The top periodic antenna arrays perform the function of
as a cavity model. The top periodic antenna arrays perform the function of impedance-
impedance-tuning surfaces, and the lower ground sheet is assumed as a zero-thickness
tuning surfaces, and the lower ground sheet is assumed as a zero-thickness metallic plate,
metallic plate, and behaves as a reflector. When the incoming EM waves strike the top
and behaves as a reflector. When the incoming EM waves strike the top periodic arrays, it
periodic arrays, it penetrates the spacer, due to the impedance matching phenomena.
penetrates the spacer, due to the impedance matching phenomena. Thereafter, multiple-
Thereafter, multiple-reflection phenomena are induced inside the dielectric spacer, as shown
reflection phenomena are induced inside the dielectric spacer, as shown in Figure 6. Their
in Figure 6. Their corresponding mathematical quantities can be written as: r12 ´ = r12 eiϕr12
corresponding
´ = t12 eiϕr12 . The transmitted component collides with the lower groundand
mathematical quantities can be written as: 𝑟 ́ = 𝑟 𝑒 𝑡́ =
and t12 reflector
𝑡 𝑒 . The transmitted component collides with the lower ground reflector and reflects
and reflects the dielectric spacer with the reflection amplitude of −1. It has a complex
the dielectricphase
spacerβwith
= nk the treflection amplitude of −1. It has a complex propagation
propagation o d , where td and k o are the thickness of the substrate and
phase 𝛽 = 𝑛𝑘 𝑡 , where 𝑡 and
free-space wavenumber, respectively. Again, 𝑘 are the partial
thickness of the substrate andoccurs
transmission-reflection free-space
with
wavenumber, respectively.
the relevant energies of t21 Again,
´ = t21 e iϕpartial
r21 transmission–reflection
´ = r21 e
and r21 iϕr21 , respectively. Owing the
occurs with rele-
to these
vant energies of 𝑡 ́ =𝑡 𝑒 and 𝑟 ́ = 𝑟 𝑒 , respectively. Owing
multi-reflection steps, destructive interference happens. Finally, the total reflection can be to these multi-
reflection in
expressed steps, destructive
the following interference
expression, as inhappens.
[57]: Finally, the total reflection can be ex-
pressed in the following expression, as in [57]:
t ´ t ´ ei2β
r = r12 ´ − 𝑡12́ 𝑡21́ 𝑒 i2β . (4)
𝑟 = 𝑟 ́ −1 + r21 ´ e . (4)
1+𝑟́ 𝑒
Thus,the
Thus, theoverall
overall absorption
absorption of the
of the proposed
proposed MMA MMA can
can be be approximated
approximated by A = by 1𝐴−= |1r |−
2.

|𝑟| . Figure
Figure 7a,b depict
7a,b depict the magnitudes
the magnitudes and and phases
phases of the
of the transmitted
transmitted andand reflected
reflected light
light at
at the air-spacer interface, which is calculated by employing the interference theory
the air-spacer interface, which is calculated by employing the interference theory model.
model.7cFigure
Figure 7c compares
compares the simulated
the simulated and calculated
and calculated absorption absorption curves
curves of the of the
proposed pro-
MMA,
posed
and it isMMA,
notedand
thatitboth
is noted
plotsthat both
are in plots
good are in good
agreement agreement
with with each other.
each other.

Figure 7.7. Estimated

Figure Estimated results
results of
of the
theproposed
proposedMMA MMAthrough
throughmultiple-reflection-based
multiple-reflection-based interference
interference
theory model,
theory model, (a)(a) amplitude
amplitude of of the
the reflected
reflected and
and transmitted
transmitted waves
waves inside
inside the
the cavity
cavity model,
model, (b)
(b)
phaseof
phase ofthethereflected
reflectedand
andtransmitted
transmittedwaves
waves inside
inside thethe cavity
cavity model,
model, and
and (c)(c) comparative
comparative analysis
analysis of
of simulated
simulated andand calculated
calculated absorption.
absorption.
Polymers 2022, 14, 4503 11 of 13

7. Conclusions
In this work, we presented a dual-band flexible MMA with the added functionality
of tunable features. The MMA demonstrates an absorption rate of more than 99% at the
corresponding microwave frequencies of 24 and 35 GHz. Furthermore, the proposed MMA
manifests an angle-insensitive absorption response under the influence of the different
incident angles of the incoming EM waves. The frequency tunability characteristics are
attained by integrating a varactor diode between the two resonating elements. We observed
a red-shift in operating frequency by varying the capacitance of the varactor diode, ranging
from 32–56 fF. Finally, the absorption properties were also investigated by bending the
designed MMA over an arbitrary cylinder of different radii, and it was found that the
absorption remained unchanged for R = 1.5–∞. In addition, the proposed absorber can also
be extended to tri and quad bands by adding one or two extra outer rings, respectively. This
kind of MMA could be useful for various applications, namely MIMO antenna isolation,
wearable sensors, and anti-jamming.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, R.M.H.B. and M.A.S.; methodology, R.M.H.B.; software,

R.M.H.B. and Q.A.A.; validation, R.M.H.B., Q.A.A. and S.W.; formal analysis, R.M.H.B. and M.A.S.;
investigation, R.M.H.B. and Q.A.A.; resources, S.W.; data curation, R.M.H.B. and M.A.S.; writing—
original draft preparation, R.M.H.B. and M.A.S.; writing—review and editing, S.W., A.A.A.-G.
and M.A.S.; visualization, Q.A.A. and A.A.A.-G.; supervision, M.A.S.; project administration, S.W.;
funding acquisition, S.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research work was funded by Institutional Fund Projects under grant no. (IFPHI-
188-130-2020). Therefore, authors gratefully acknowledge technical and financial support from the
Ministry of Education and King Abdulaziz University, DSR, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Data Availability Statement: All the relevant data are presented in this research article, but may be
obtained from the authors upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments: The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Inno-
vation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project
number (IFPHI-188-130-2020), and King Abdulaziz University, DSR, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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