Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed an new aerogel-based material that blocks a wide range of frequencies, forming what they describe as by far the lightest electromagnetic shielding material in the world.

Blocking the electromagnetic radiation in electronic devices can be critical to maintaining their performance, because if these fields aren't isolated from their surroundings they can affect signal transmission or the function of nearby electronics. Engineers often turn to thin sheet metals for this task, but these add extra weight to the device and don't always fit neatly with the design.