Fractal metamaterial cage antennas

Cage antennas and related components are described. Such cage antennas include a shortened antennal element, such as a monopole (e.g., of approximately ⅛-wave height of a desired operational wavelength), which can be placed on a shortened ground plane (e.g., roughly quarter-wave size). A cage-like ensemble (e.g., a cage) can then be placed on top of but not touching the antenna element. The cage structure can have a fractal-based, folded, and/or pleated structure, among others. This cage structure can be produced either through a variety of means including but not limited to 3-D printing with either conductive materials or inductively coded materials.