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Soft Metalens for Broadband Ultrasonic Focusing through Aberration Layers

Author

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  • Erqian Dong

    (Xiamen University
    University of Hong Kong
    Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES))

  • Tianye Zhang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Jinhu Zhang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Xiaochun Su

    (Xiamen University)

  • Sichao Qu

    (University of Hong Kong
    Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES))

  • Xin Ye

    (Xiamen University)

  • Zhanyuan Gao

    (Xiamen University)

  • Chengtian Gao

    (the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University)

  • Jiangang Hui

    (Xiamen University)

  • Zhanxiang Wang

    (the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University)

  • Nicholas X. Fang

    (University of Hong Kong
    Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES))

  • Yu Zhang

    (Xiamen University)

Abstract

Aberration layers (AL) often present significant energy transmission barriers in microwave engineering, electromagnetic waves, and medical ultrasound. However, achieving broadband ultrasonic focusing through aberration layers like the human skull using conventional materials such as metals and elastomers has proven challenging. In this study, we introduce an inverse phase encoding method employing tunable soft metalens to penetrate heterogeneous aberration layers. Through the application of effective-medium theory, we determined the refractive index of micro-tungsten particles in silicone elastomer, closely aligning with experimental findings. The soft metalens allows for transmission across broadband frequencies (50 kHz to 0.4 MHz) through 3D-printed human skull models mimicking aberration layers. In ex vivo transcranial ultrasound tests, we observed a 9.3 dB intensity enhancement at the focal point compared to results obtained using an unfocused transducer. By integrating soft materials, metamaterials, and gradient refractive index, the soft metalens presents future opportunities for advancing next-generation soft devices in deep-brain stimulation, non-destructive evaluation, and high-resolution ultrasound imaging.

Suggested Citation

  • Erqian Dong & Tianye Zhang & Jinhu Zhang & Xiaochun Su & Sichao Qu & Xin Ye & Zhanyuan Gao & Chengtian Gao & Jiangang Hui & Zhanxiang Wang & Nicholas X. Fang & Yu Zhang, 2025. "Soft Metalens for Broadband Ultrasonic Focusing through Aberration Layers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55022-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55022-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ya-Xi Shen & Yu-Gui Peng & Feiyan Cai & Kun Huang & De-Gang Zhao & Cheng-Wei Qiu & Hairong Zheng & Xue-Feng Zhu, 2019. "Ultrasonic super-oscillation wave-packets with an acoustic meta-lens," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Xuefeng Zhu & Kun Li & Peng Zhang & Jie Zhu & Jintao Zhang & Chao Tian & Shengchun Liu, 2016. "Implementation of dispersion-free slow acoustic wave propagation and phase engineering with helical-structured metamaterials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, September.
    3. Kai Melde & Andrew G. Mark & Tian Qiu & Peer Fischer, 2016. "Holograms for acoustics," Nature, Nature, vol. 537(7621), pages 518-522, September.
    4. Nadège Kaina & Fabrice Lemoult & Mathias Fink & Geoffroy Lerosey, 2015. "Negative refractive index and acoustic superlens from multiple scattering in single negative metamaterials," Nature, Nature, vol. 525(7567), pages 77-81, September.
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