Benzinga | Jan 5, 2022 08:35AM EST

Meta Materials Highlights Transparent 5G Reflector Technology at CES 2022

Meta Materials Inc. (the "Company" or "META(r)") (NASDAQ:MMAT, FSE: MMAT))))) a developer of high-performance functional materials and nanocomposites, today announced that it will be demonstrating NANOWEB(r) 5G reflector technology live at CES 2022, LVCC North Hall Booth 9253. Winner of the Lux Research Innovator of the Year Award in 2021, META's 5G reflector should provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution compared to installing additional powered base station and repeater infrastructure. It is the only low-loss transparent film which can be aesthetically applied to windows and other surfaces to enhance 5G network coverage both outdoors and within buildings without requiring power or a network connection.

The promise of 5G networks is to deliver broadband speeds wirelessly, while allowing a much larger number of simultaneous connections, to enable powerful new applications for smart cities and enhanced mobility. A major challenge is that these higher-speed signals have shorter range than prior generations and are easily absorbed or blocked by objects in the environment. This causes dead spots in dense urban environments and within buildings. Solving the problem with additional base stations and repeaters is costly and requires access to suitable sites, power, and fiber optic backhaul connections.

The live video demonstration shows how a solid aluminum metal plate is an almost perfect reflector for a 5G signal, with the reflected signal measuring -37dB (98%). However, lack of transparency limits the locations where signals can be redirected with metal reflectors. NANOWEB(r) features a precisely defined, nanostructured transparent metal mesh. The video shows how the transparent film seamlessly matches the signal strength of a solid metal plate, with a return signal measuring -37dB.

A second demonstration shows what happens in situations where the angle of the incoming signal does not align well with the desired receiving location. The signal reflected from the metal plate in an off angle is almost completely lost, measuring -51dB (.01%). A specialized NANOWEB(r) reflector provides a design-specific reflection angle to optimize signal propagation, measuring a -37% dB signal, despite the anomalous angle.

META's 5G reflector technology has been independently tested in collaboration with Sekisui Chemical in Japan, demonstrating the ability to effectively manage 5G signals within buildings. Sekisui plans to start sample sales in 2022 and aims for sale of 6 billion Yen (~$51MM) in 2026.

"Our first 300mm web width, roll-to-roll NANOWEB(r) pilot production line, featuring META's proprietary RML(r) (rolling mask lithography) technology, should be operational in January 2022 at our recently upgraded facility in Pleasanton, California and we are already organizing demonstrations and customer visits for Q1 2022," said George Palikaras, President and CEO. "We look forward to supplying higher volumes and web-widths to support market development for 5G communications and a wide range of other applications in automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics."