Advances in high-efficiency wireless power reception using electromagnetic metasurfaces

Microwave wireless power transmission (MWPT) is a promising solution to future energy challenges, exhibiting strong potential in space-based solar power stations, unmanned aerial vehicle endurance extension, and powering Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, conventional microwave power receivers (MPRs) suffer from issues such as low efficiency, structural complexity, and polarization sensitivity. Electromagnetic metasurfaces, with their ability to precisely manipulate electromagnetic waves, provide a new direction for overcoming these bottlenecks. This paper is a review that focuses on the series of research achievements made by our research team in the area of high-efficiency wireless power reception based on electromagnetic metasurfaces. Key innovations are introduced, including gradient-index metasurfaces, reflective phase-gradient metasurfaces, dual-matching strategies, polarization-insensitive designs, near-field reception structures, and direct-feed architectures. These methods enable effective conversion of incident waves into surface waves with precise energy concentration, significantly improving conversion efficiency from plane waves to surface waves, as well as RF-to-DC conversion efficiency. Meanwhile, the system architecture is greatly simplified, providing a robust foundation for the practical application of MWPT systems.