Perhaps you’re like the seagulls in Pixar’s Finding Nemo, screeching “mine, mine, mine.” Or maybe you have ultra-top-secret data on your internal network, such as grandma’s Never-Better Peanut Chocolate Chip cookies.
In either case, the French are developing a wallpaper for you.
By embedding silver ink and metallic fibers into the wallpaper, researchers have discovered a way to block Wi-Fi and mobile phone signals from both entering and leaving a room. As the French put it, somewhat excitedly “Si vous voulez isoler votre domicile des ondes GSM et Wi-Fi, il existe une solution !!”
Above: Not exactly Metapaper …
Translated roughly, if my high-school French stands up: “if you want to insulate your home from GSM and Wi-Fi signals, there exists a solution!!”
The researchers suggest the technology, called “metapapier” or Metapaper, could be used to protect public spaces such as hospitals, restaurants, and theaters from outside interference, or even a child’s room. The wallpaper is specifically created to block GSM signals at 0.9, 1.8 and 2.1 gigahertz frequencies, which are used for mobile phones, and Wi-Fi signals at 2.45 and 5.5 gigahertz.
FM or TV signals, however, pass through unimpeded, thankfully, which means you can still watch Twilight Zone reruns.
The substance can also be embedded in other wall or floor coverings, such as gypsum board or drywall, which you would actually need to do if you were looking for a more complete security solution.
Researchers claim that Metapaper is cheaper than other solutions used for similar security and privacy purposes. I’m sure the CIA, NSA, FBI, and other three-letter agencies would be interested.
Personally, I allow anyone to use my Wi-Fi.
But, as the French say: À chacun son goût.
Image credits: NomadSoul/ShutterStock, sootra/ShutterStock
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