Applications of piezoelectric and biomedical metamaterials: A review

Abstract

In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in bioinspired and piezoelectric metamaterials, focusing on their applications in biomedical engineering, smart sensing, and related fields. We examined how artificially engineered micro- and nanostructures enable metamaterial-based biosensors to achieve highly sensitive, label-free detection of biomolecules across microwave, terahertz, and optical frequencies, with detection limits reaching the attomolar level. These capabilities offer transformative potential for cancer biomarker screening, rapid viral diagnostics, and cellular activity monitoring. We also highlight the growing role of piezoelectric metamaterials in structural health monitoring, including low-frequency vibration suppression and acoustic wave control, as well as in biomedical applications such as bone tissue regeneration and self-powered medical devices, enabled by advances in electromechanical coupling and structural design. In addition, the integration of bioinspired architectures with 3D printing has led to the development of multifunctional metamaterials exhibiting features such as negative Poisson's ratios and adaptive mechanical responses, with promising applications in soft robotics, tissue scaffolds, and protective systems. We further discussed terahertz metamaterial devices, including perfect absorbers, polarization converters, and smart sensing platforms that incorporate microfluidics and plasmonic resonance, driving innovation in precision medicine and environmental monitoring. Collectively, these developments emphasize the importance of a 'structure–function–intelligence' design paradigm and offer strategic insights into emerging research directions across healthcare, communications, and aerospace. We conclude by summarizing key analytical and fabrication methodologies, referencing 193 scholarly works.