Surface Electromagnetics within the Smart EM Environment - Recent Advances and Future Trends

The revolutionary Smart Electromagnetic Environment (SEME) concept is transforming wireless system design by enabling control over electromagnetic wave propagation to meet network-defined performance objectives. Among the technologies exploited to implement the SEME vision are Electromagnetic Skins (EMSs), which are passive two-dimensional artificial structures engineered to statically or dynamically manipulate electromagnetic propagation in both indoor and outdoor settings. The enabling feature of EMSs within SEME is related to their advanced wave manipulation functionalities, including anomalous reflection and beam shaping, through meta-atomic adjustments of their electrical properties. Recent advancements have expanded the capabilities of EMSs, introducing innovations such as optically transparent designs for seamless integration into existing infrastructures, and customized design strategies that support inexpensive implementations of EMSs. This work aims to review the recent advancements in EMS engineering for SEME applications, providing insights into cutting-edge design and implementation strategies that are shaping the future of wireless communications.