When shielding is no longer enough: A new reinforced-concrete-inspired aerogel for electromagnetic energy management

Abstract

As electromagnetic environments become increasingly complex, there is a growing need to manipulate electromagnetic energy in a controllable manner. This work highlights a reinforced-concrete-inspired structural design strategy that integrates conductive networks with functional matrices to coordinate multiple properties within a single hierarchical architecture. Such an approach enables scalable fabrication while simultaneously achieving omnidirectional ultra-low reflection, excellent mechanical resilience, and intrinsic flame retardancy. Beyond the specific material system, this work also demonstrates how architecture-guided multifunctional integration may provide a new design paradigm for next-generation electromagnetic materials, in which electromagnetic wave attenuation, structural integrity, thermal management, and scalability can be coordinated through hierarchical organization rather than pursued independently.

As electromagnetic environments become increasingly complex, there is a growing need to manipulate electromagnetic energy in a controllable manner. This work highlights a reinforced-concrete-inspired structural design strategy that integrates conductive networks with functional matrices to coordinate multiple properties within a single hierarchical architecture. Such an approach enables scalable fabrication while simultaneously achieving omnidirectional ultra-low reflection, excellent mechanical resilience, and intrinsic flame retardancy. Beyond the specific material system, this work also demonstrates how architecture-guided multifunctional integration may provide a new design paradigm for next-generation electromagnetic materials, in which electromagnetic wave attenuation, structural integrity, thermal management, and scalability can be coordinated through hierarchical organization rather than pursued independently.