Recently, the Electromagnetic Radiation Control Materials and Technology Team from the School of Electronic Science and Engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology made waves in the scientific community by publishing a research paper, 'Adaptive Ionic Liquid Polymer Microwave-Modulated Surfaces: Programmable Dielectric Properties', in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. The study was primarily driven by Dong Qichao, a PhD candidate from the 2022 cohort, who served as the first author. Researcher Lu Haipeng was the corresponding author. This achievement was the result of a collaborative effort, with contributions from Researcher Luo Tao of the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore, and Researcher Chu Zengyong from the National University of Defense Technology.

The research team aimed to tackle the challenges of limited modulation mechanisms and inadequate environmental adaptability found in traditional electromagnetic materials. To address these issues, they proposed a novel approach: constraining the erratic movement of dipoles through a polymer matrix abundant in hydrogen-bonding sites. By applying temperature stimuli to trigger the breaking and subsequent reconstruction of hydrogen bond networks, they successfully achieved dynamic modulation of both the dipole orientation behavior and the charge migration capacity of ionic liquids.

Experimental results were impressive, showing that the dielectric properties of the material could be reversibly adjusted by over 60% within the microwave frequency range. Leveraging photocurable 3D printing technology, the team fabricated a pixelated surface. This innovation allowed for the dynamic reconstruction of microwave reflectivity patterns through independent temperature control. To further enhance the material's capabilities, the team incorporated machine learning algorithms. These algorithms optimized the concentration of ionic liquids and temperature parameters, leading to the successful development of reconfigurable microwave-absorbing surfaces and pixelated microwave control surfaces.

These groundbreaking innovations hold significant promise for a range of applications, including active electromagnetic camouflage, adaptive filters, and beyond. This research not only paves a crucial technical pathway for the design of next-generation intelligent electromagnetic systems but also validates its findings through rigorous radar cross-section testing, marking a significant step forward in the field.