Multi-effects regulation of hybrid materials against strong electromagnetic damage

Insulating materials abundant in nature that are engineered into load-bearing structures remain intrinsically incapable of withstanding high-intensity electromagnetic phenomena such as lightning, due to poor electrical conductivity. While ground-based systems can employ functional devices to rapidly divert lightning currents, airborne structures lack such pathways, leaving them acutely vulnerable. In air, the dual insulating nature of both the surrounding medium and structural materials severely hinders current dissipation, often resulting in catastrophic thermal and mechanical damage. Here, we report a multiphysics design strategy that transforms carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)—a typically insulating structural material—into a hybrid electromagnetic-regulating system capable of actively managing lightning-induced loads. We embed conductive, weakly conductive and insulating phases in an architecture inspired by series-parallel electronic networks and achieve a pronounced suppression of structural degradation and a fundamental shift in CFRP’s failure characteristics under electromagnetic assault. Central to this functionality is the role of nickel, which enhances conductivity and simultaneously modulates thermal-mechanical coupling during lightning exposure. This study redefines the role of metallic inclusions from passive electromagnetic shielding to active strong electromagnetic regulation, offering a new framework for designing flight-ready structures with built-in protection against extreme electromagnetic environments.