Two engineers from our very own University of Nebraska in Lincoln have created a conductive concrete that is now being used to shield electronics from electromagnetic energy pulse (EMP) attacks. Christopher Tuan and Lim Nguyen have developed the electricity conducting concrete and over time found multiple uses for it including de-icing roads, radiant heating, and anti-static floor applications. We actually wrote a blog about the conductive concrete being used for de-icing roads earlier this year. The latest technology of being used to shield electronics from EMP attacks is ready for commercialization from the American Business Continuity Group LLC, a company that develops structures resistant to disasters.
Electromagnetic energy is all over and it can be extremely lethal to electronic equipment according to Tuan. Electromagnetic energy travels in the form of waves which spreads across a wide spectrum including radio waves, sunlight, X-rays, microwaves, and gamma rays. The threat becomes imminent when the electric current is induced by a burst of electromagnetic waves caused by an EMP device or a high-altitude nuclear explosion. This can cause mass electronic failures.
Tuan and Nguyen discovered that the conductive concrete that they formulated also has the ability to block electromagnetic energy. A key ingredient in the concrete dissipates the wave energy according to Tuan. The conductive concrete works by reflecting and absorbing electromagnetic waves. The team uses mangetite, the key ingredient, in place of some of the standard aggregates. Mangetite is a mineral that has magnetic properties, so it soaks up microwaves like a sponge. Carbon and metal elements are used to produce better absorption and reflection. The concrete is more effective than current shielding technologies due to the formulas ability to both absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves. The conductive concrete costs less and is more flexible than existing shielding technologies.
Even better yet, the team figured out a way to create shotcrete out of the product which allows the product to be easily applied to the interior of buildings to protect them from electromagnetic interference. The product can even block out electronic eavesdropping from happening. The concrete has potential to protect military, financial institutions, or other buildings that house important electronic devices, like aircraft or data servers.
The American Business Continuity Group LLC (ABC) obtains exclusive rights for marketing the shotcrete product and it is reported that the Electromagnetic Shielding Shotcrete or EMSS is now commercially available. A prototype structure was built and reported to withstand attacks from either an explosive or an electromagnetic attack. The structure surpassed military shielding requirements. Tuan and Nguyen continue to look for new uses for conductive concrete as well as new formulations to expand current applications.
We hope you enjoyed learning about our locally developed electromagnetic shielding concrete! We think concrete is some pretty neat stuff and this definitely goes to prove it! If you are planning on installing or refinishing your concrete floors, installing epoxy garage floors, or any other type of concrete finishing check out our website. There are so many creative and custom options for finishing concrete, but first and foremost important is the concrete itself. At Custom Concrete Creations we have state of the art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Custom Concrete Creations is a premier contractor serving the Omaha area as well at the Midwest. Give us a call or send us an email for your custom concrete finishing needs today!