Chinese scientists have taken a significant step forward in telecommunications technology: researchers from Xidian University have developed an innovative "smart surface" capable of converting radio waves into electricity.

The device integrates three key functions into a single platform:

• Wireless information transmission

• Ambient radio wave energy harvesting

• Sensing and detection capabilities

The technology is based on metamaterials, which enable the creation of a universal surface for signal emission and scattering.

The development opens up possibilities for revolutionary applications in several areas:

Civilian Applications:

• 6G wireless communication

• Next-generation satellite systems

• Internet of Things (IoT)

• Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication

Military Applications:

• Intelligent stealth systems

• Electromagnetic cooperative stealth (where multiple objects collectively reduce radar visibility)

• Electronic warfare and jamming systems

General Advantages:

• Enhanced security through a reduced risk of data interception

• Reduced signal interference

• Controllable radio signal "dead zones"

RIS Technology: A Key to 6G

This invention belongs to the class of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) – two-dimensional reflective structures composed of numerous controllable elements that can:

• Amplify signal power

• Enhance data transmission security

• Expand signal coverage

• Minimize interference

According to expert forecasts, 6G networks utilizing RIS will enable:

• Holographic communication

• The implementation of "digital twins" (virtual copies of physical objects)

• The advancement of IoT to a new level.

The technology is already under study by leading organizations worldwide:

• European Space Agency (ESA) – for satellite communication by reflecting and redirecting signals

• Rohde & Schwarz (Germany) – for creating secure communication channels

• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – for enhancing the security of IoT devices

By integrating communication, power supply, and stealth functions into a single platform, the "smart surface" could become a foundational element of 6G infrastructure, fundamentally transforming our understanding of the interaction between the physical and the digital worlds.

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