More wireless systems onboard of aircraft with metallic nanoparticles

Abstract

Nowadays using Polymer Matrix Composites is the general direction in aeronautic industry. This approach has many advantages like. multi-functionality, simplicity and particularly weight issue. But these materials do not perform as metals in terms of electromagnetic shielding. Co-cured expanded metal (e.g. copper) foil inside composite has been chosen as the standard solution for mitigation. However composites with extended metal foil will loose the performance dramatically starting from a few GHz in HIRF environment. Studies done by RTCA. EUROCAE and certification authorities show the significant effects of wireless interference on avionic system of composite aircraft. Moreover front door coupling has been observed. The back door coupling is solved through HIRF certification but front door remains. Studies done by NIST show the low protection of composite aircraft against electromagnetic energy particularly in HIRF environment. Light weight EM shield for composite aircraft particularly in frequency range of concern (possibility of replacing the expanded metallic foil in certain zones by Nanotechnology solution) is needed because it appears to be the solution for limiting the risks related to the usage of wireless systems. Using the metallic nanoparticle inside the aircraft structure will provide more protected composite fuselage for a few GHz range of frequency and applying more wireless systems onboard of aircraft which has been studied in this work.