Preface to special topic on information and intelligent metasurfaces.

In fact, this is a rapidly developing area in both electromagnetic physics and wireless communications, which require new theories, new methods, new designs, and new technologies. In 2019, a concept of reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) or intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) was proposed independently by several groups in the wireless communication community to control the wireless environment as desired and enhance wireless coverage. On the other hand, electronic and information technology, together with industry, needs new physics to satisfy challenging requirements for new-generation wireless communications. [Extracted from the article]