Metamaterial devices for optical absorption, dispersion and directional sensing include optically transparent prisms made of a wide range optically transparent material, the prisms comprising a lens surface that is exposed to a source of electromagnetic radiation, with the other surfaces of the prism adjacent to a sensing device, a reflective surface and/or an optical absorption surface. Absorption devices are configured to trap and absorb the electromagnetic radiation that enters the lens surface. Dispersion devices are configured to scatter the electromagnetic radiation that enters the lens surface and the infrared radiation that radiates from an object and through the prism towards the lens surface. The directional sensing devices are configured to selectively detect electromagnetic radiation entering the device at a target angle.