From biological blueprints to optimal performance: A bioinspired metastructure enabling simultaneous broadband microwave absorption and superior conformability

Flexible metastructure absorbers combine the advantages of conventional metastructures with the conformal architectures, unlocking potential electromagnetic (EM) applications. In this work, we tackled broadband EM enhancement of metastructures via strategic material engineering and unit cell optimization. Herein, a multilayer metastructure was designed using bioinspired architectures and intelligent optimization techniques. The interlocking mechanism of armadillo scales and the anti-reflective property of moth-eye structures were the inspiration for the metastructure design, which simultaneously achieved exceptional conformal adaptability and broadband impedance matching. The structural parameters were co-optimized through a hybrid algorithm that integrates the Grey Wolf Optimizer with manta ray foraging optimization, enabling maximized absorption bandwidth and minimized reflectivity. Fabricated via fused deposition modeling 3D printing, the optimized metastructure demonstrates remarkable EM absorption performance, delivering over 90% absorption efficiency across the frequency range of 2.34–40 GHz, maintaining angular stability up to 60°, and retaining conformal flexibility with a reduced thickness of 0.09λ_L at the lowest operating frequency. Through this novel material-structure-function integration paradigm, high-performance conformal EM absorption can be achieved, providing a scalable solution for next-generation wearable and curved electronic devices.