Posted on 11/27/2024 6:42:48 AM PST by Red Badger
A new composite material developed by KIMS researchers absorbs over 99% of electromagnetic waves from different frequencies, improving the performance of devices like smartphones and wearables.
A team of scientists from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed the world’s first ultra-thin film composite material capable of absorbing over 99% of electromagnetic waves from various frequency bands, including 5G/6G, WiFi, and autonomous driving radar, using a single material.
This novel electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding material is less than 0.5mm thick and is characterized by its low reflectance of less than 1% and high absorbance of over 99% across three different frequency bands.
Conceptual Diagram of New Electromagnetic Wave Absorption and Shielding Material A conceptual diagram of the electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding material developed by the research team, along with the designed conductive pattern. Credit: Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS)
Challenges in Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Electromagnetic waves emitted by electronic components can cause interference, leading to performance degradation in nearby electronic devices. Electromagnetic shielding materials are used to prevent this, and absorbing electromagnetic waves is more effective at reducing interference than merely reflecting them. However, conventional electromagnetic shielding materials reflect over 90% of the waves, with an actual absorbance often as low as 10%. Moreover, materials with higher absorbance are typically limited to absorbing electromagnetic waves within a single frequency band.
Advancements in Multi-Frequency Absorption
To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a composite material that can absorb electromagnetic waves across multiple frequency bands simultaneously. This technology absorbs and eliminates electromagnetic waves, resolving secondary interference issues. The material is also thin, flexible, and durable enough to maintain its shape even after being folded and unfolded thousands of times, making it suitable for rollable phones and wearable devices.
KIMS New Electromagnetic Wave Absorption and Shielding Material
The electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding material developed by the research team, showing its thin and flexible form & its shape remaining intact even after 5,000 bending tests. Credit: Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS)
Enhancements in Material Technology and Applications
The team, led by Dr. Byeongjin Park and Dr. Sang Bok Lee from the Composites & Convergence Materials Research Division at KIMS, synthesized a magnetic material by altering the crystal structure of ferrite, enabling it to selectively absorb desired frequencies. They produced an ultra-thin polymer composite film and incorporated conductive patterns on the film’s back side to control the propagation of electromagnetic waves. By adjusting the shape of the conductive pattern, electromagnetic wave reflection at specific frequencies can be dramatically reduced. A carbon nanotube thin film with high shielding properties was also applied to the back to further enhance the material’s electromagnetic wave shielding capabilities.
Senior Researcher Byeongjin Park of KIMS, who led the project, commented, “As the applications of 5G/6G communications continue to expand, the importance of electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding materials is growing.” He added, “This material has the potential to significantly improve the reliability of wireless communication devices such as smartphones and autonomous vehicle radars.”
Reference: “Absorption-Dominant Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding across Multiple mmWave Bands Using Conductive Patterned Magnetic Composite and Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube Film” by Byeongjin Park, Sosan Hwang, Horim Lee, Yeonsu Jung, Taehoon Kim, Suk Jin Kwon, Dawoon Jung and Sang-bok Lee, 28 May 2024, Advanced Functional Materials. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202406197
This research was funded by KIMS’ fundamental research projects and the Electromagnetic Solution Integrated Research Group (SEIF) under the National Research Council of Science & Technology. The findings were published as the cover article in the October 1st edition of the internationally renowned journal Advanced Functional Materials (first author: Dr. Byeongjin Park). The research team has completed domestic patent registration and has also applied for patents in the U.S., China, and other countries. Additionally, the technology has been transferred to several domestic material companies, and it is currently being applied to actual communication devices and automobiles.
I would like large sheets of it to shrink-wrap my car..............
Beat me to it. Sure seems like it would.
Nope. And since doesn’t block “all” or do so very well, the title is grossly incorrect.
Hard to call this “a material.”
I knew it would be a composite.
They can selectively choose which frequencies its made to work best with.
My first thought too. Stealth tech.
“So.. is this capable of making planes, tanks, missiles and people electronically invisible?”
I wonder what the frequency spectrum limitations are. Radar frequencies, sonar, laser, or the CIA spy THz radiation, between microwaves and infrared ????
I would expect that ferrite would only block the lowest frequencies.
I doubt it can perfectly absorb hard X-rays, regardless of how they tune it.
First thing I thought of. Could I use it to build a big Faraday cage?
Great no need for airplane mode on planes now.
If you don’t cover the windows, radar will still work on it.
I’d like to have it in a can so I can spray it on, things.
Probably right, but I believe they are looking at more common consumer oriented frequencies, not the entire spectrum.
You know, those that will give them the biggest returns on their civilian patents to start with, before the military grants kick in and the big $ R and D funds start flowing....
Sounds like the material that the alien ship in “Quartermass And The Pit” was made of.
That’s what I was wondering.
What happens to the energy it absorbs?
“Not terribly impressive.”
Name anything that even comes close to this. You can’t.
There are paints currently available that do some blockage.
A new alternative to tinfoil.
Would need to see if that “across three frequency bands” stuff is continuous or not and exactly which bands.
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