  Metamaterials offer a powerful way to manipulate a variety of physical fields
ranging from wave fields (electromagnetic field, acoustic field, elastic wave,
etc.), static fields (static magnetic field, static electric field) to
diffusive fields (thermal field, diffusive mass). However, the relevant reports
and studies are usually conducted on a single physical field or functionality.
In this study, we proposed and experimentally demonstrated a bifunctional
metamaterial which can manipulate thermal and electric fields simultaneously
and independently. Specifically, a composite with independently controllable
thermal and electric conductivity was introduced, on the basis of which a
bifunctional device capable of shielding thermal flux and concentrating
electric current simultaneously was designed, fabricated and characterized.
This work provides an encouraging example of metamaterials transcending their
natural limitations, which offers a promising future in building a broad
platform for manipulation of multi-physics field.
