Designing future nanomaterials for electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding

The rapid development of wireless technologies has transformed the applications of electromagnetic (EM) materials from traditional military stealth to broader application in civilian fields. This progress has expanded their frequency range, diversified usage scenarios, and fostered a transition toward nanomaterial-based solutions. Despite these advancements, significant scientific and technical challenges remain, such as the elusive interaction mechanism between nanomaterials and EM waves, overheating caused by EM attenuation, limited attenuation performance of conductive polymers, high EM-wave power consumption, and precise dynamic control of material properties. In this Voices article, we seek answers to the above challenges from a panel of experts.