Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Conductive Multilayer Coatings

The proliferation of wireless networking solutions, which are omnipresent in our daily lives, has led to increased exposure to the energy of electromagnetic (EM) waves in the higher frequency range, raising concerns about their impact on human health. Investigating the propagation of EM waves through multilayer structures can shed light on the future direction of effective protection and shielding solutions. The paper provides a comparative study that examines EM wave propagation through a multilayered composite structure. The structure combines Plexiglas plates (acrylic, polymethyl methacrylate), a dielectric material, with one or more layers of conductive YSHIELD HSF54 paint to reduce EM field intensity. The paint’s carbon-based particle composition promises effective field attenuation. Our side-by-side comparative real-world measurements and simulation results showcase correlation. We further demonstrated the benefits of applying a layer of conductive YSHIELD HSF54 paint over Plexiglass to form a composite structure, with the initial layer contributing to attenuation of approximately 20 dB. Finally, the results were validated by calculating Morozov’s first- and second-order analytical approximations for the transmission parameter S21—the calculated values accurately trace both the simulations and measurements. The research concludes that shielding, which is used as a method of protection against EM radiation in many industrial devices, can also be used in procedures to protect human habitats by selecting new, innovative, and affordable materials and structures.