A metamaterial has a magnetic permeability response at frequencies sufficient to generate a repulsive force between a fluid and a surface to which the metamaterial may be applied. The metamaterial may be nanofabricated such that an absolute value of the magnetic permeability of the metamaterial is substantially greater than an absolute value of an electric permittivity of the metamaterial. The metamaterial may generate a repulsive force between the surface and the fluid moving relative to the surface and thereby reduce viscous drag of the fluid on the surface. A method of reducing the viscous drag of the fluid moving past the surface includes producing relative motion between the surface and the fluid and generating the repulsive force between the surface and the fluid.