Homebrew Science – Using Paint to Limit Wi-Fi Range

Nearly everyone has heard of the coating used by the stealth planes to absorb microwave radiation (radar), and thereby reduce or eliminate the image on a screen.

In a similar vein, people in the United Kingdom, trying to focus and direct the radiation emitted by wi-fi transmitters have begun to use paint with aluminum oxide, to absorb the excess radiation.

from slashdot

“The BBC reports on people using aluminum oxide in their paint to block Wi-Fi signals from leaving their home or business. Aluminum oxide resonates at the same frequency as Wi-Fi signals and other radio waves, blocking data from going outside a building. It’s not a flawless solution, as it may also block AM/FM signals. You or your neighbors may be unwittingly using this already, as most pre-finished wood flooring uses aluminum oxide as a protective coating.”

Between the selective painting of walls, floors, and ceilings, and the judicious use of Pringles can antennas, the enterprising ‘radio engineer’ can get great performance out of his home network, not imagined by the designers of the ’stock’ equipment.

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