Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers are working with Defence to develop a printable ultrathin layer of carbon that would shield sensitive electronics from electromagnetic radiation.
An example of how unwanted electromagnetic radiation can affect communication systems is when a microwave in the kitchen interferes with a home’s wi-fi network.
Professor Nunzio Motta, from the QUT Centre for Materials Science, and Dr Kamal Gupta, from Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group are investigating a locally developed inkjet printing technology for printing a graphene film on electronic circuit boards to prevent unwanted electromagnetic radiation from interfering with communication devices.
“The flexibility of inkjet printing will allow the design of multiple patterns and the superimposition of different layers to target a wide range of frequencies,” Professor Motta said.
Funded by the Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF), the project builds upon previous research of Professor Motta’s group on graphene, used to develop supercapacitors, which are devices that can store energy similarly to batteries but can be charged and discharged much quicker.
The QUT research team also includes Dr Jacob Coetzee, Dr Soniya Yambem, Michael Horn and Fraser Williams.
