Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation Blocked at Once... Development of a 'Universal Shielding Film' Thinner Than a Human Hair [Reading Science]

A "universal shielding material" that is thinner than a human hair, stretches like rubber, and can simultaneously block electromagnetic waves and radiation has been developed by a Korean research team. This breakthrough is expected to revolutionize shielding technologies essential for extreme environments such as space, nuclear energy, and medical applications.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that the research team led by Dr. Joo Yongho at the Extreme Environment Shielding Materials Research Center has, for the first time in the world, developed an ultrathin and lightweight composite material capable of blocking both electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation with a single material.

Conceptual diagram of an ultra-lightweight and flexible composite shielding material that combines carbon nanotubes (CNT) and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) to simultaneously block electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation. Provided by KIST.

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The core of this new material is the combination of electrically conductive carbon nanotubes (CNT) and neutron-absorbing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT). By forming a "core-shell structure" in which the two types of nanotubes wrap around each other, the material enables a single film to simultaneously block different types of hazardous elements.

As a result, the material can block 99.999% of electromagnetic waves and reduce neutron radiation by approximately 72%, even at a thickness thinner than a human hair. In the past, separate materials were required to block electromagnetic waves and radiation, so this innovation is significant in terms of reducing both weight and structural complexity.

The technological maturity of the material is also high. Its shielding performance is maintained even when stretched to more than twice its original length, and it can be fabricated in various forms such as honeycomb structures using 3D printing. In fact, when made into a honeycomb structure, its shielding performance is improved by up to 15% compared to a flat material of the same thickness.

Additionally, the material demonstrates durability across a wide temperature range, maintaining stability from cryogenic temperatures of minus 196 degrees Celsius to high temperatures of 250 degrees Celsius. This allows it to be reliably utilized in extreme environments such as outer space or the interior of nuclear reactors.

An illustration showing the flexible composite material characterized by a structure where carbon nanotubes wrap around boron nitride nanotubes, blocking both electromagnetic waves and neutrons simultaneously, with performance maintained from cryogenic temperatures (-196℃) to high temperatures (250℃). Provided by KIST

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This technology goes beyond simple material development and suggests the possibility of fundamentally changing design approaches across industries. Because it enables the simultaneous shielding of electromagnetic waves and radiation with a single material, it can facilitate both weight reduction and design simplification in a wide range of applications, including satellites, space stations, nuclear power plants, cancer treatment equipment, and wearable protective gear.

In particular, the ability to design customized shielding structures through 3D printing positions this material as a next-generation core technology in future space, energy, and medical industries.

This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education, and the results were published in the international journal Advanced Materials.

Joo Yongho, principal researcher at KIST, commented, "This material represents a completely new concept in shielding technology: as thin as tape, as flexible as rubber, and capable of simultaneously blocking electromagnetic waves and radiation. As a core material necessary for the space age, we plan to further enhance its performance and actively pursue its application in industrial settings."

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