Neuron-like Carbon Architecture Absorber

Corrosion-resistant broadband absorption

The bioinspired neuron topology cascades capture, channeling, and dissipation of incident electromagnetic waves, enabling broadband absorption coupled with corrosion resistance in marine environments.

Sihao, Dou · Yu-Tan, Jiang · Yuxiang, Zheng · Rui, Gao · Zhiyuan, Dan · Minghao, Yang · Qiang, Su · Liu, Dongdong · Zhong, Bo · Huang, Xiaoxiao

Chemical Engineering Journal 2026

Specifications

Minimum reflection loss

{'zh': '-62.98', 'en': '-62.98'} dB

Effective absorption bandwidth

{'zh': '5.84', 'en': '5.84'} GHz

Simulated bandwidth (gradient multilayer)

{'zh': '14.21', 'en': '14.21'} GHz

Attenuation retention

{'zh': '>90', 'en': '>90'} %

Advantages

Broadband absorption

A gradient multilayer configuration extends the simulated absorption bandwidth to 14.21 GHz, covering the C-, X-, and Ku-bands.

Corrosion resistance

After 30 days of simulated marine exposure, more than 90% of electromagnetic attenuation is retained, owing to multilevel barriers formed by ZnO passivation, carbide encapsulation, and tortuous diffusion pathways.

Applications

• Electromagnetic shielding and stealth：Broadband high loss enables stealth coatings to reduce radar cross-section.
• Marine electronic equipment protection：Corrosion-resistant absorber can coat shipborne equipment for combined EMI shielding and marine durability.
• Flexible absorbing patches：Carbon-based powder can be compounded with flexible resins into patches for curved or wearable devices.
• Aerospace stealth coatings：Gradient multilayer design enables broadband stealth coatings for aircraft surfaces.