Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). A RIS is provided that can be conformed to a non-planar surface, the RIS including a plurality of RIS unit cells, a plurality of accelerometers, each accelerometer configured to detect accelerometer data for at least one of the RIS unit cells; and a controller configured to determine an operating condition of the RIS based on the detected accelerometer data of the RIS unit cells and to adjust one or more operational parameters based on the operating condition. Also provided is a method of operating such a RIS, wherein each RIS unit cell includes a dedicated accelerometer configured to detect the accelerometer data of the RIS unit cell.

Abstract: A variable capacitor comprising: a first elongate member comprising a first electrically conductive portion positioned towards a first distal end of the first elongate member and a second electrically conductive portion positioned towards a second distal end of the first elongate member, wherein the first elongate member is configured to pivot on a first fulcrum positioned between the first and second electrically conductive portions, wherein a first distance between the first fulcrum and the first electrically conductive portion of the first elongate member is different to a second distance between the first fulcrum and the second electrically conductive portion of the first elongate member; a second elongate member comprising a first electrically conductive portion positioned towards a first distal end of the second elongate member and a second electrically conductive portion positioned towards a second distal end of the second elongate member, wherein: one of the first and second elongate members is a cath