Fabric blocks electromagnetic waves

Researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., have created “Faraday fabrics” that can block almost all electromagnetic (EM) waves. The development could help protect wearables from interference and people from potentially dangerous radiation. The key ingredient is a 2D material called MXene. While electromagnetic waves are incredibly useful, interference in the airwaves can make connections unstable and interrupt the function of electronic devices. Vital components within devices are often wrapped in shielding materials that simply reflect the waves. The Drexel team had previously described how one particular MXene, titanium carbonitride, made an excellent EM-shielding material. It is both incredibly thin and it absorbs signals rather than reflecting them. In the new study, the researchers found the MXene shielding’s use in fabrics can block electromagnetic waves. The research was published in the journal Carbon. Photo: Drexel University.