A metamaterial is a material which gains its properties from its structure rather than directly from its composition. Metamaterials – new class of ordered composites that exhibit exceptional properties not readily observed in nature.  These properties arise from qualitatively new response functions that are not observed in the constituent materials & result from the inclusion of artificially fabricated, extrinsic, low dimensional inhomogeneities.

Materials interact with light & other electromagnetic fields. Because of this, materials can be used to control light in many various ways, forming the basis for optical devices. Over the last several years there has been a surge of interest in artificiall materials because of their potential to expand the range of electromagnetic properties in composit materials.

Three-dimensional optical metamaterial with a negative refractive index brings invisibility & superlenses closer to reality. Superlenses will mean better microscopes, superior capability to see & work at the nanoscale and better computer lithography which will make faster computers.

(sources: wikipedia.org, informationweek.com, nextbigfuture.com, ee.duke.edu)