Electric motors and electronic devices generate electromagnetic fields that sometimes have to be shielded in order not to affect neighboring electronic components or the transmission of signals. High-frequency electromagnetic fields can only be shielded with conductive shells that are closed on all sides. Often, thin metal sheets or metallized foils are used for this purpose; however, for many applications, such a shield is too heavy or too poorly adaptable to the given geometry. A light, flexible, and durable material with extremely high shielding effectiveness is needed.

Researchers now have used nanofibers of cellulose as the basis for an aerogel, which is a light, highly porous material.

Cellulose fibers are obtained from wood and due to their chemical structure, enable a wide range of chemical modifications. They are therefore a highly popular research object. The crucial factor in the processing and modification of these cellulose nanofibers is to be able to produce certain microstructures in a defined way and to interpret the effects achieved.

The researchers have produced a composite of cellulose nanofibers and silver nanowires, thereby creating ultra-light fine structures that provide excellent shielding against electromagnetic radiation. With a density of only 1.7 milligrams per cubic centimeter, the silver-reinforced cellulose aerogel achieves more than 40 dB shielding in the frequency range of high-resolution radar radiation (8 to 12 GHz); virtually all radiation in this frequency range is intercepted by the material.

The correct composition of cellulose and silver wires is decisive for the shielding effect and also the pore structure of the material. Within the pores, the electromagnetic fields are reflected back and forth and additionally trigger electromagnetic fields in the composite material that counteract the incident field. To create pores of optimum size and shape, the researchers pour the material into pre-cooled molds and allow it to freeze out slowly. The growth of the ice crystals creates the optimum pore structure for damping the fields.

With this production method, the damping effect can even be specified in different spatial directions: If the material freezes out in the mold from bottom to top, the electromagnetic damping effect is weaker in the vertical direction. In the horizontal direction, i.e. perpendicular to the freezing direction, the damping effect is optimized. Shielding structures cast in this way are highly flexible — even after being bent back and forth 1,000 times, the damping effect is practically the same as with the original material. The desired absorption can be adjusted by adding more or fewer silver nanowires to the composite as well as by the porosity of the cast aerogel and the thickness of the cast layer.

In another experiment, the researchers removed the silver nanowires from the composite material and connected their cellulose nanofibers with two-dimensional nanoplates of titanium carbide that were produced using a special etching process. The nanoplates act like hard “bricks” that are joined together with flexible “mortar” made of cellulose fibers. This formulation was also frozen in cooled forms in a targeted manner. In relation to the weight of the material, no other material can achieve such shielding.

For more information, contact Dr. Gustav Nyström at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; +41 58 765 45 83.