Electronic devices and electronic motors produce electromagnetic field that has to be sometimes shielded in order to protect the neighboring electronic components or shield the transmission of signals. Electromagnetic fields of high frequency can only be screened with conductive shells closed on all sides. This is often done using thin metalized foils or metal sheets used for this purpose.
Nonetheless, the shield is too heavy or poorly adaptable to the given geometry for many applications. For this, a light, flexible and durable material would be an ideal solution with effectiveness of extremely high shielding.
A research team has been successful in a breakthrough research in this field. The research team is using nanofibers of cellulose for basis of an aerogel – which is light and highly porous. Obtained from cellulose fibers, and owing to their chemical structure, cellulose fibers enable a multitude of chemical modifications. This makes cellulose fibers highly popular for research.
Cellulose Fibers address drawbacks of previously used Conductive Shells
The crucial factor for the processing and modification of cellulose nanofibers is their ability to produce certain microstructures in a certain way and to interpret the effects that are achieved.
As a result of the research, the researchers have been successful to produce a composite of silver nanofibers and cellulose nanofibers. This has thereby resulted to create ultra-light fine structures that provide superb screening against electromagnetic radiation.
The material has an impressive effect. The silver-reinforced cellulose aerogel attains more than 40 dB of shielding effect with a density of only 1.7 milligrams for each cubic centimeter in the frequency range of high-resolution radar radiation. It means practically all radiation with wavelength in this frequency range is blocked by the material.
