A research group led by Associate Professor Hiroki Wakado and Associate Professor Daisuke Yasuzai of the Nagoya Institute of Technology's School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with GOCCO., Inc., has developed "Metappane," an innovative interior panel that improves indoor radio wave environments. This product utilizes metasurface technology and can effectively improve radio wave strength without the need for a power source.
"Metappane" is a 1mm-thick thin panel that incorporates a metasurface created using Ag ink and printing technology that GOCCO. developed independently. This allows for high-quality signal reinforcement without the need for precision manufacturing processes.
During development, Nagoya Institute of Technology's Wakado Laboratory and Yasuzai Laboratory conducted measurements of the 5GHz model for home Wifi, and observed an amplification of approximately 30dBm (6 times) compared to a metal plate that reflects radio waves without absorbing them at a design angle of 4°. In addition, when similar measurements were performed in the 5GHz band used in the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), an amplification of approximately 28dB (0 times) was observed at a design angle of 30° when θi = 10°, and at a design angle of 40° when θi = 10°, compared to a metal plate that reflects radio waves without absorbing them. These results, along with the characteristics of the metasurface that allows the reflection angle to be arbitrarily designed, make it possible to create a strong radio wave zone in any location by combining metapanes with multiple reflection angles.
GOCCO. will develop two models, a 5GHz model for general home WIFI and a 5GHz model for 28G, and will continue to develop them for application to next-generation bands. It may be possible to assist areas in buildings where radio waves are difficult to reach, or to design radio waves in areas where high-volume wireless communication is required, simply by attaching the panels according to the purpose. In addition, visuals/graphics can be freely installed on the surface, making it usable as an art panel that combines beauty and functionality. Metappane's metasurface technology can also be used as a building material, and it is expected that the wholesale of materials will contribute to the market for functional building materials.
The Wakado Laboratory at Nagoya Institute of Technology is conducting research into artificially controlling the flow of radio waves by using metasurfaces, an electromagnetic material. In particular, by incorporating electronic circuit components, they are creating responses that cannot be obtained from materials found in nature.
At the Anzai Laboratory, we are conducting research into wireless communication technology and wireless sensing based on modeling of the radio wave environment. In particular, we are working on research into highly reliable wireless communication technology and position measurement technology based on the biological electromagnetic environment.
