Scientists in South Korea have figured out a way to reinforce critical sites against electromagnetic pulses (EMP), embedding a specially designed metal mesh into windows.
A team led by Chang Won Jung at Seoul National University of Science and Technology created glass windows that incorporate an asymmetric hexagonal metal mesh film, delivering EMP protection without sacrificing optical clarity.
Civilian-grade versions can reportedly withstand pulses up to 60 decibels, while military-grade configurations push protection to 80 decibels, all without needing external power or complex wiring.
The transparent design allows the windows to be installed at critical sites like government buildings, data centers, hospitals, and airports.
“Since the proposed structure can be integrated into transparent window systems, it offers a significantly broader range of architectural applications compared to conventional opaque shielding solutions,” Jung stated.
Modern Problem, Asymmetric Solution
EMP threats, whether from nuclear explosions or high-power devices, release intense pulses that can knock electronics offline and disrupt critical operations.
Such attacks could cripple essential military systems and shut down an entire command-and-control center.
Jung’s asymmetric hexagonal mesh represents a next-gen approach to this problem, reportedly the first of its kind for transparent protective windows.
While production plans have not been announced, Jung said technical specifications are now available for engineers interested in applying the design.
