Wallpaper That Blocks Wi-Fi

[WillParkinson]

Could this mean that you will never again hear a cellphone go off at a concert? French researchers have developed wallpaper that would block cellular and wi-fi signals while letting through AM/FM radio waves and emergency transmissions.

Developed by engineers at the Grenoble Institute of Technology and the Centre Technique du Papier—and making use of a conductive ink containing silver particles (it’s a passive block, not a jamming system)—the wallpaper will be marketed to people concerned about outsiders’ snooping on their private networks as well as those who, for health reasons, simply want to shield themselves from as many electromagnetic waves as possible. Researchers say the cost of the product will be in line with what people pay for mid-priced purely decorative wallpaper.

Windows remain a challenge, but even without covering them (and transparent filters do exist), users will enjoy substantial increases in privacy, the researchers say.

http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2012/05/25/wallpaper-that-blocks-wi-fi/?mod=wsj_share_linkedin

[snot]

1. Could this also block unConstitutional surveillance?

[Warpy]

2. Signal no get in, signal no get out

For a home wireless network, that would mean the signal would go no farther than the wallpaper, really nice for apartment dwellers, especially if they wallpapered the floor and ceiling. It would make it harder for kids to piggyback on an unsecured system. However, it would make it much more difficult to monitor activity from outside the place, although it can probably be done with much more sensitive equipment than they use now.

So answer is well, sort of. Temporarily.

Surveillance of cell phones could still be done since our user would have to go outside to use one.

Still, even if it's largely a bust for privacy, the silence in theaters and restaurants would be golden. Jonesing cellphone junkies would be fun to watch, a bonus.

[Scuba]

3. Call me when they get paint that will do the same. Wallpaper is a major hassle.

[krispos42]

4. WiFi blocking would be great, cell phone blocking not so much...

...at least in most applications.

You could block the front and sides of your house, but leave the back yard open so you could do stuff while on the patio or whatever.


If you had an apartment, do all four walls to keep your neighbors from peeking in on you. And the ceiling, too.


But paint would be even better.