Advanced electromagnetic shields for unmanned ground and aerial vehicle platforms

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Electromagnetic interference (EMI) occurs when electromagnetic waves emitted from a device interfere with its operation or the operation of other electronic devices, causing their malfunction. There is a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) requirement to provide EMI shielding protection for unmanned ground and aerial vehicle platforms, referred to as UxV, carrying sensitive sensors used to detect explosive threat objects, including conventional landmines and improvised explosive devices. DRDC considers polymer-based and aerogel-based shields as an enabling technology to allow for the full exploitation of UxV-based EM sensors in congested and contested electromagnetic environments that the CAF will face in future operations. As such, this Alliance proposal aims to draw on the expertise and resources of Drs. Arjmand and Markley from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Advanced BioCarbon 3D (ABC) and ZEN Graphene Solutions (ZEN), as the industrial partners, to develop versatile EMI shields for futuristic UxV used by CAF. This research project will help Canada position itself at the forefront of the multi-billion-dollar market of the next generation of electromagnetic shields, thus creating more jobs in Canada. Furthermore, the success of this project will help CAF develop more reliable selective explosive hazard sensors that can be mounted on lighter and smaller UxV with enhanced maneuverability. This will enhance the capacity of CAF to protect Canadian soldiers in war zones. In addition, the developed EMI shields can realize applications in other Canadian high-tech sectors, such as information and communication technologies, health, aerospace, automotive, and defence. The proposed project will be conducted by HQP at different levels, i.e., 4 PhD students and 4 undergraduate research assistants. The proposed research will train HQP and equip them with expertise in Nanotechnology, Polymer Processing, and Design of Electromagnetic Shields. Such a broad range of interdisciplinary technical expertise is highly sought and gives HQP a competitive advantage for their future careers in numerous sectors, such as aerospace and defence, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Canada's economy.