Overview
ARBOK EMI TEG Protection Paint is an electromagnetic-protection coating built on ARBOK's graphene-like thermally expanded graphite (TEG). Unlike metallic shields and conductive paints that reflect electromagnetic energy (and create secondary re-radiation), the TEG paint absorbs incident EM energy and dissipates it as heat inside the coating layer. It covers a very wide band — from 30–50 kHz to 600–800 GHz — with shielding effectiveness above 60 dB on tested samples, turning walls, enclosures, fabrics, cables and vehicle bodies into non-radiating surfaces. TEG material cost is ~$50/kg (vs CVD graphene $10–15/g), enabling mass, low-cost deployment for "EM sanitation" of homes, schools, hospitals, transport and defense assets.
Applications
Shielding of buildings and rooms (schools, kindergartens, hospital wards, bedrooms); scientific institutes and metrology/MRI/electron-microscopy boxes needing a clean EM background; aviation cabins and avionics; military/defense (radar-signature reduction, secure comms); data centers and financial infrastructure (cables, enclosures); electric-vehicle cabins (traction-battery field mitigation); protective textiles and specialized suits.
Users: construction and facility operators, healthcare and education infrastructure, defense/aerospace, data-center and telecom operators, EV manufacturers, paint manufacturers (license/local production).
Operating Principle
A graphene-like TEG filler (porous, layered, high specific surface) is dispersed into a polymer/paint matrix. The absorbing network converts incident EM energy into heat/dissipation across the coating instead of reflecting it. The TEG loading sets the protection grade — ARBOK has developed the corresponding parameters for different classes of task. Applied as ordinary paint on walls, devices, cables, fabrics and vehicle bodies.
Limitations: independent third-party validation of shielding figures pending; layer/loading specified per application (no single fixed thickness); EMP-scale (nuclear pulse) testing pending; THz-and-above performance not yet fully characterized.
Key Parameters
EMR absorption band: 30–50 kHz … 600–800 GHz. Shielding effectiveness: > 60 dB (tested samples). Radar-signature reduction: 90–95%; thermal-signature reduction: 85–90% (stealth-coating data). Mechanism: absorption (not reflection). TEG material cost: ~$50/kg (vs CVD graphene $10–15/g → ~200–300× cheaper). Raw material: oxidized natural graphite ($50–100/t). Heat resistance: TEG up to 1500°C (adds fire resistance to coatings); HyperCarbon variant up to 3800°C (space/hypersonics). Protection grade: set by TEG loading. Density of TEG: ~2.4 kg/m³ (light, low added weight).
Architecture and Components
TEG graphene-like filler + polymer/paint matrix (binder); standard paint application (spray/brush/vacuum-press for coatings); optional protective topcoat. Produced with ARBOK's compact, mobile, modular TEG production units, sized to sit directly at a paint maker's shop floor, feeding a dispersion/dosing line into the paint. Modular: loading tuned per protection class.
Advantages
Technical: absorption (vs reflection) removes secondary re-radiation and side-channel leakage; ultra-wide band 30 kHz–800 GHz; light, thin coating with negligible added weight; bonus fire resistance (TEG to 1500°C); one material replaces several shielding technologies. Economic: TEG ~$50/kg — orders of magnitude below CVD graphene; raw material $50–100/t; mobile production removes logistics; local manufacturing under license. Environmental/health: enables "EM sanitation" of living/work spaces; no rare metals. Security: eliminates EM eavesdropping on cables; radar-signature reduction for defense.
Integrations
Part of the ARBOK TEG/graphene material family; shares the TEG platform with ARBOK-STEALTH CABLE (ASC), TEG-BETON, TEG-Blanket, AEROGRAPH (Graphene AeroGel). Integrates with standard paint production and application workflows; complements EMC/Faraday-cage practice.
Deployment & Operation
Production: compact mobile TEG units, available across a range of throughput classes from small workshop scale up to industrial scale, operated by a lean crew with modest per-kilogram energy and fuel consumption; units mount directly at the paint maker's shop floor. Application: disperse TEG into paint → apply as standard coating → protection grade per TEG loading. Business model: paint sales, licensed local production, and services. Remaining: third-party validation (IEC/IEEE), EMP-scale testing, standardization for building/medical use.
TRL
TRL 4 (to be confirmed by Michael). Experimental samples of graphene-filled protective materials — polymers, nonwovens, fabrics and paints — have been produced and tested (per ARBOK "TEG Applications"). The underlying TEG production platform is industrially operated (mobile units, up to 1 t/h). Paint-specific EMI performance requires independent validation and standardization.
TRL scale:
- TRL 1 — basic principles observed
- TRL 2 — technology concept formulated
- TRL 3 — experimental proof-of-concept
- TRL 4 — validated in lab ← ARBOK EMI TEG Protection Paint
- TRL 5 — validated in relevant environment
- TRL 6 — demonstrated in relevant environment
- TRL 7 — prototype in operational environment
- TRL 8 — system complete and qualified
- TRL 9 — proven in operational environment
Market Potential
EMI shielding market projected at $10–12 billion by 2030; graphene segment growing fastest (CAGR ~27.5%, up to $2.3 billion by 2030), held back by technology limits and graphene price — exactly the barrier ARBOK's low-cost TEG removes. Rising drivers: 5G/6G densification, IoT (21.1 billion devices by 2025), EVs (~58 million on the road), and emerging "EM sanitation" of public and residential spaces.
Typical Project Economics
TEG material ~$50/kg (vs CVD graphene $10–15/g). Low OPEX: modest per-kilogram energy consumption, a lean operating crew, mobile units at the paint maker. Three revenue streams: paint sales, licensed local production, and services. Platform spanning a dozen markets/tasks. No explicit CAPEX/payback in base — indicative until project-scale data.
Risk Factors
Shielding figures (dB, band) are claimed and need independent, accredited-lab validation (lab vs field gap). Protection grade depends on TEG dispersion/loading consistency at scale. No fixed layer thickness — must be specified per application. EMP-scale testing pending; THz-and-above performance not characterized. Standardization/certification for building and medical use pending. Adoption depends on regulatory framing of "EM sanitation."
Related Technologies
ARBOK-STEALTH CABLE (ASC) · TEG-BETON · TEG-Blanket · AEROGRAPH (Graphene AeroGel) · TRISTONE (TEG-Electroliser)