In this Tech Insight, we look at what Azure Foundry is, the challenges it addresses, its key features and benefits, and its role for businesses hoping to embrace the AI revolution.

What Is Azure Foundry?

Azure Foundry is Microsoft’s latest innovation in AI, offering a comprehensive single platform that unifies the design, deployment, and management of AI solutions while seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tools with practical business needs. The Azure Foundry platform is designed to enable developers, IT professionals, and decision-makers to create, customise, and scale AI-powered solutions effectively.

Through its streamlined toolchain, advanced management features, and integration with popular development environments, Microsoft has positioned Azure Foundry as a one-stop solution for organisations aiming to leverage AI to its fullest potential.

Why Azure Foundry?

The platform was essentially developed in response to two pressing trends. First, while AI has proven transformative, it seems that businesses often struggle to bring experiments into production. For example, a Deloitte study showed that 70 per cent of organisations have only managed to productionise 30 per cent or fewer of their generative AI experiments. Secondly, AI’s rapid evolution has overwhelmed businesses with fragmented tools, complicating the adoption process.

Microsoft therefore identified the need for a unified platform to enable businesses to turn emerging AI capabilities into tangible business outcomes, and Azure Foundry embodies Microsoft’s vision for empowering organisations to streamline their AI workflows while reducing time-to-market and ensuring scalability. As Microsoft says, “Azure AI Foundry helps bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technologies and practical business applications, empowering organisations to harness the full potential of AI efficiently and effectively.”

What Problems Does Azure Foundry Solve?

Azure Foundry addresses several key challenges faced by businesses adopting AI, which are:

Complexity in development and management. Many organisations face difficulties coordinating various AI tools and technologies. Azure Foundry has been designed to simplify this by unifying its capabilities into a single platform, accessible through familiar environments like GitHub and Visual Studio. As Microsoft says, “We’re unifying the AI toolchain in a new Azure AI Foundry SDK that makes Azure AI capabilities accessible from familiar tools, like GitHub, Visual Studio, and Copilot Studio.”

Scalability. Transforming AI proofs of concept into robust production systems can be daunting, and Azure Foundry’s tools and infrastructure facilitate the seamless scaling of AI solutions.

Measurement and ROI. Decision-makers often struggle to evaluate the effectiveness and financial impact of AI initiatives. Azure Foundry has features for tracking performance and aligning AI applications with organisational goals.

Security and compliance. As AI adoption increases, so do concerns about data privacy and regulatory compliance. Azure Foundry’s integrated features for data governance and secure workflows provide organisations with confidence in their AI deployments.

Core Features and Benefits

Azure Foundry combines state-of-the-art tools with integrations to provide a powerful yet user-friendly platform. Some of its standout features include:

– A unified toolchain. The Azure AI Foundry SDK integrates with tools like Visual Studio, GitHub, and Copilot Studio, streamlining AI development and deployment.

– Azure AI Studio. Now upgraded into an enterprise-grade management portal, this feature allows teams to oversee AI applications, manage resources, and optimise workflows from a central location.

– Azure AI Agent Service. This feature automates routine tasks through intelligent agents, thereby freeing teams to focus on strategic priorities. It supports integration with existing enterprise data sources, ensuring workflows are tailored to specific organisational needs.

– A comprehensive AI model catalogue. With over 1,800 AI models, including the latest from OpenAI and industry-specific offerings, the platform allows businesses to choose and customise models to fit their unique requirements.

– Scalability and flexibility. Businesses can deploy models on demand using serverless GPU capabilities, ensuring efficient use of resources while maintaining high performance.

– Enhanced observability. The new management centre experience consolidates vital information such as resource usage and permissions, making governance and compliance easier.

– Guidance and best practices. Azure Essentials provides resources, templates, and reference architectures, helping organisations navigate their AI adoption journey with confidence.

Who Is Azure Foundry For?

Azure Foundry has been designed to cater to a diverse audience, offering tailored benefits for developers, IT professionals, and business leaders alike. Microsoft says, “Azure AI Foundry is designed to empower your entire organisation—developers, AI engineers, and IT professionals—to customise, host, run, and manage AI solutions with greater ease and confidence.”

For developers, the platform’s seamless integration with familiar tools such as GitHub and Visual Studio ensures that they can focus on innovation without the need to spend time learning and mastering entirely new systems before they can start getting any value from them. With access to advanced AI capabilities, developers can build and scale applications quickly, enabling faster delivery of impactful solutions.

IT professionals can also benefit from Foundry’s tools that simplify the management of AI deployments. These features ensure the security and performance of AI systems while streamlining monitoring processes, making it easier for IT teams to align their efforts with organisational objectives. By providing a cohesive infrastructure of this kind, Azure Foundry could reduce the complexity of supporting enterprise-wide AI adoption.

Business leaders too stand to gain from the platform. For example, Azure Foundry delivers actionable insights into the performance and impact of AI initiatives, thereby potentially helping decision-makers to evaluate return on investment and align AI strategies with broader organisational goals. This holistic approach could empower business owners and leaders to drive AI adoption with confidence, ensuring that technological advancements translate into tangible business value.

Criticisms and Challenges

While Azure Foundry appears to be a helpful advancement in AI integration and innovation, it should be noted that it is not without its challenges.

For organisations unfamiliar with Microsoft’s ecosystem, although Microsoft is keen to make it sound like a simple and holistic solution, in reality, the platform may present a bit of a learning curve. The array of tools and capabilities, while comprehensive, could potentially require considerable time and resources for teams to master, especially for those transitioning from other platforms or starting their AI journey from scratch. That said, the value gained may be worth the effort.

Also, cost is another factor to consider. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to introduce cost-effective options, such as serverless GPUs, the overall expense of leveraging Azure Foundry’s extensive features may prove prohibitive for smaller organisations or those with limited budgets. Balancing the platform’s potential value with financial constraints could, therefore, pose a hurdle for many prospective users.

Another challenge lies in its dependence on the Microsoft ecosystem. Organisations that have already invested in alternative cloud platforms may find it difficult to integrate Azure Foundry seamlessly into their existing workflows. Migrating or bridging between ecosystems can introduce technical complexities and potential disruptions.

One more challenge may be that the evolving nature of AI technology could mean that Azure Foundry will need to continually adapt to stay relevant and retain its value to users. While this may ensure access to cutting-edge advancements, early adopters could face periods of transition or disruption as new updates and capabilities are rolled out. This dynamic environment may require organisations to maintain flexibility and allocate resources for ongoing training and adaptation.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

Microsoft hopes that Azure Foundry will offer businesses a comprehensive platform to streamline and scale their AI operations. For those seeking to adopt AI or expand their current capabilities, it could provide a unified and accessible toolset that integrates seamlessly into familiar development environments. This has the potential to drastically reduce the complexities often associated with AI deployment, thereby making advanced capabilities more accessible across various roles in an organisation.

For businesses, the value of Azure Foundry lies in its ability to bring together disparate tools, enabling faster development cycles and easier management of AI solutions. Developers, IT teams, and decision-makers could use it to collaborate more effectively, benefiting from tools designed to simplify workflows and align AI efforts with organisational goals. This means businesses could use Azure Foundry to turn AI from a conceptual tool into a practical driver of value, capable of delivering measurable outcomes and improving efficiency.

Also, the platform’s scalability should ensure that organisations can grow their AI initiatives without significant bottlenecks. For smaller businesses or those starting out, this scalability may be particularly appealing, offering the ability to adopt advanced AI technologies without a substantial upfront investment in infrastructure. The support for integrating data privacy and compliance measures may further reassure organisations operating in highly regulated industries.

However, it’s also important to approach Azure Foundry with a clear understanding of its challenges. For businesses unfamiliar with Microsoft’s ecosystem, there may be a learning curve, requiring time and resources to unlock the platform’s full potential. Cost considerations may also weigh heavily for smaller organisations, where balancing Azure Foundry’s advanced capabilities with financial constraints could become a critical decision point. Businesses relying on alternative cloud providers may also face integration challenges, and early adopters must prepare for potential disruptions as the platform evolves.

From Microsoft’s perspective, Azure Foundry is a way to solidify its position as a leader in enterprise AI. By creating a unified, scalable, and user-friendly platform, Microsoft is positioning itself ahead of competitors like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud, which have their own AI offerings but may currently lack the same degree of integration and enterprise focus. For the broader market, Azure Foundry raises the bar for what AI platforms can deliver, likely prompting competitors to develop similar unified solutions to remain competitive.

For businesses, Azure Foundry basically represents an opportunity to simplify AI adoption, scale its applications effectively, and align technology investments with strategic goals. While there are challenges to consider, the potential benefits may outweigh the drawbacks for organisations prepared to embrace AI as a transformative tool. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, or unlock new revenue streams, Azure Foundry could offer a powerful pathway to achieving these ambitions in the age of AI.

A recent study by US-based hosting provider Liquid Web has revealed that slow website performance is costing businesses thousands of pounds per year in revenue and draining resources at an alarming rate.

Slow Websites Costing UK Businesses 

The study, which was based on a survey of 206 business owners from industries ranging from ecommerce to consulting, found that poor website performance costs businesses an average of 15 per cent of their annual revenue. For small businesses earning $119,000 / £93,000 annually, this translates to a loss of approximately £14,000 per year.

In an era where online presence is vital for business success, these findings appear to highlight a critical need for companies to address their digital inefficiencies.

The Financial Toll of Poor Website Performance

According to the survey, over one in ten businesses experienced website downtime over the past year, while 35 per cent dealt with slow loading times. These types of issues not only frustrate users but also significantly impact revenue. For example, businesses reported an average traffic loss of 7.5 per cent due to sluggish website speeds or downtime, with 12 per cent of respondents admitting they lose revenue every month.

Even Worse for Ecommerce Businesses 

For ecommerce businesses, where online transactions form the backbone of operations, the impact appears to be more pronounced. For example, approximately 13 per cent of ecommerce respondents indicated monthly revenue losses, with these losses equating to an 11 per cent annual shortfall. The study also highlighted key moments, such as Black Friday, where businesses estimate they could lose over £900 due to performance-related issues, with slow-loading pages being a major contributor to bounce rates exceeding 50 per cent.

Reputation and Growth Opportunities at Stake 

Beyond immediate financial losses, it seems that poor website performance has ripple effects that hinder long-term growth. For example, two-thirds of businesses reported lost revenue, and 55 per cent acknowledged missing critical growth opportunities due to performance issues. Damage to brand reputation was another significant concern, with 41 per cent of respondents citing this as a consequence, while 33 per cent faced an increase in customer complaints.

Also, the Liquid Web survey revealed that more than a quarter of business owners felt their slow websites caused them to lag behind competitors with more reliable online platforms. In highly competitive sectors such as ecommerce and digital marketing, falling behind rivals can lead to substantial long-term losses.

Responding to the survey results on the Liquid Web website, Tiffany Bridge, Ecommerce Product Manager at Liquid Web, emphasised the customer experience angle, saying: “When pages take too long to load, customers leave—sometimes for good—resulting in lost sales and damaged trust.” 

Barriers to Improvement 

While the need for improvement is evident, many businesses say they face obstacles in implementing necessary changes. For example, the survey showed that cost appears to be the most significant barrier, with half of the surveyed businesses citing it as a limitation. Also, 30 per cent of respondents pointed to a lack of technical expertise as a hindrance. Other challenges included time constraints, unclear ROI, and insufficient resources.

Still Planning Investment 

Despite these barriers, 28 per cent of business owners surveyed said they plan to invest an average of £900 in website improvements ahead of the holiday season by optimising images and code (38 per cent), reducing third-party plugins (32 per cent), and switching to high-performance hosting providers (27 per cent).

The High Stakes of Seasonal Sales 

The stakes are especially high during peak shopping periods like Black Friday (now very popular in the UK too) and Cyber Monday. For many businesses, these days can contribute up to 30 per cent of their annual sales volume. Liquid Web’s study revealed that even just a 1-second improvement in site speed can increase conversion rates by a massive 27 per cent, thereby highlighting the importance of performance during high-traffic events.

Ryan MacDonald, Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web, also pointed out the importance of scalability, saying: “With the right scalable solutions, businesses can handle busy periods like the holidays without overextending their budget while laying the foundation for long-term success.” 

Turning Challenges into Opportunities 

While the findings paint a concerning picture, it could be said that they also serve as a wake-up call for businesses to turn performance challenges into opportunities. High-performance hosting, proactive optimisation, and strategic scalability are just some of the measures businesses can take to ensure their websites remain reliable and competitive.

It should also be noted here that, although Liquid Web’s study has revealed some important insights, Liquid Web is in the business of providing hosting solutions, meaning that it is perhaps not surprising that a key recommendation of the report is that investing in website performance is not just a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in a digital-first world.

What Does This Mean for Your Business? 

The findings from Liquid Web’s study essentially show that in today’s ‘digital-first’ world, website performance is not a luxury but a necessity. Businesses across industries are increasingly reliant on their online presence, and the consequences of underperformance appear to be stark. From lost revenue and diminished customer trust to reputational damage and missed growth opportunities, the costs of a slow or unreliable website are likely to be far-reaching. For small businesses, where every pound counts, the financial toll alone can be devastating, as highlighted by the average annual losses of up to £14,000.

What this means for businesses is that addressing website performance issues is no longer optional. However, while the study strongly advocates for investment in high-performance hosting and site optimisation, these recommendations must be considered alongside the practical challenges faced by many businesses, such as limited budgets, technical expertise, and resources. A balanced approach that weighs the costs of improvement against the potential losses caused by inaction may, therefore, be recommended.

The study also serves as a reminder of the competitive edge that reliable website performance can provide. In crowded markets like ecommerce and digital marketing, where customer expectations are higher than ever, businesses with fast, dependable websites are more likely to attract and retain customers. Conversely, those that lag behind risk losing not only sales but also their standing against more digitally agile competitors.

For many businesses, the prospect of investing in better hosting or optimising site speed may seem daunting, but as the data shows, the returns can far outweigh the initial outlay. For example, the study revealed that improving page load times by even a second can lead to a 27 per cent increase in conversions, a powerful incentive to prioritise performance enhancements, particularly during critical sales periods like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

However, it is also important to approach the findings with some perspective – hosting providers may be viewed as having a vested interest in highlighting the need for better hosting solutions. While this study offers valuable insights, businesses may want to tackle some of the lower-hanging fruit first by (for example) reducing unnecessary plugins, optimising images and code (or implementing caching) before or alongside upgrading hosting solutions.

The message in this case appears to be clear: businesses cannot afford to overlook the impact of poor website performance. Whether through small, incremental improvements or larger investments in high-performance hosting, addressing these issues may be vital not only to protect revenue but also to foster customer loyalty and secure long-term growth. In an increasingly digital economy, those that take proactive steps now should be better positioned to thrive in the years ahead.

A new study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that it’s how young people use social media, not how long they use it, that matters most in relation to their mental health.

Challenging Common Beliefs About Social Media Use

The groundbreaking study, led by psychology professor Dr. Amori Mikami, has challenged widespread assumptions about social media and mental health. Contrary to the belief that time spent online is the key factor, the research reveals that how young people use social media has a far greater impact on their well-being.

The study found that intentional, mindful engagement with social media can significantly improve mental health, reducing the negative effects often linked to excessive use. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, the findings may provide valuable insights for individuals, businesses, and social media platforms looking to foster healthier online habits.

How The Study Worked

The study, involving 393 Canadian young adults aged 17 to 29, explored two approaches to modifying social media habits, i.e. abstinence and intentional use. Participants were divided into three groups:

1. Control Group: No changes to their usual social media habits.

2. Abstinence Group: Encouraged to stop using social media entirely.

3. Tutorial Group: Coached to use social media more thoughtfully by fostering meaningful interactions and avoiding harmful comparisons.

Over six weeks, the participants’ social media behaviours were tracked using self-reports and smartphone monitoring, while their mental health outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, were assessed.

The Key Findings

The study revealed that both the abstinence and tutorial groups experienced mental health benefits compared to the control group, but in different ways. For example, the study revealed that:

– Abstinence reduced anxiety and depression. Those who abstained entirely saw the largest decreases in symptoms of anxiety and depression. This was attributed to a decline in social comparison and the pressures of self-presentation.

– Intentional use combated loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO). The tutorial group, who were coached to prioritise meaningful online interactions, reported reduced feelings of loneliness and FOMO. Unlike the abstinence group, these participants still engaged with social media but in a way that supported their mental health.

Interestingly, while both approaches reduced social comparisons, the tutorial group’s method of selectively following and muting accounts proved effective in building a healthier online environment.

Why These Results Matter

One important finding of the study was that quitting social media altogether isn’t the only path to better mental health. For example, by adopting intentional practices, such as unfollowing accounts that trigger negative feelings and actively engaging with supportive friends, users can reap the benefits of connectivity without falling into harmful patterns.

The study’s leader, Dr. Mikami, highlighted the practical nature of these changes, saying: “For many people, quitting social media isn’t realistic. But curating a more positive experience is a viable way to support mental well-being.”

These findings also carry significant implications for businesses that rely on social media advertising. With users becoming increasingly aware of their online habits, businesses may need to reconsider how they engage with audiences. Content that fosters positive interactions and avoids triggering negative self-comparisons could become more effective in maintaining consumer trust and loyalty.

What About Social Media Companies?

Social media platforms are under growing pressure to address their impact on mental health. The UBC’s research highlights the need for features that promote healthier usage, such as tools for muting harmful content or encouraging active, meaningful interactions.

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook could also benefit from transparency about curated content. For example, promoting the idea that most posts represent highly filtered versions of reality might help users avoid damaging comparisons.

Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The findings arrive as global governments grapple with the implications of social media on young users. Notably, the Australian Senate has just passed legislation banning social media use for children under 16. The move reflects growing concern over the psychological impact of early and unchecked access to social platforms.

While Australia’s ban seeks to address potential harms by restricting access, UBC’s research offers a complementary perspective, i.e. that education and intentional usage might achieve similar, if not better, outcomes without requiring full abstinence. Together, these approaches could shape future policies and intervention strategies worldwide.

The Bigger Picture

The UBC study provides a balanced view, showing that social media is neither inherently harmful nor entirely beneficial; rather, its impact depends largely on how it is used. With 81 per cent of young adults in North America regularly using social media, and platforms like Instagram and Facebook seeing significant growth during the pandemic, these insights are timely.

The research also challenges the notion of “digital detoxes” as the sole solution to mental health issues. Instead, it calls for a shift in perspective, encouraging users to actively shape their online experiences rather than retreat from them entirely.

Dr. Mikami summarised the findings, saying: “For young people, it’s not about logging off—it’s about logging on with intention.”

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The findings from the UBC study show that the relationship between social media and mental health is more nuanced than many people thought. Far from being a one-dimensional issue, the impact of social media use appears to depend on the quality of engagement rather than the quantity of time spent online. This shift in perspective challenges the prevailing belief that limiting screen time is the only way to improve well-being. Instead, it opens the door to alternative strategies that allow users to maintain their online presence while fostering healthier habits.

For individuals, the message is clear: curating a positive online experience by actively managing who they follow and how they interact can reduce feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and FOMO. It is a practical and attainable solution, especially for those who rely on social media for personal or professional connections.

While features such as muting, unfollowing, and transparency about curated content already exist, their effectiveness depends on widespread awareness and adoption. Platforms must, therefore, actively promote tools that encourage mindful use and consider designing new features to enhance meaningful interactions. This shift could help address growing concerns about the negative effects of social media, particularly among younger users.

The study’s insights also resonate with broader policy discussions, such as Australia’s recent decision to ban social media use for those under 16 without parental consent. While such measures aim to mitigate risks, the UBC findings suggest that education on intentional use could be equally, if not more, effective.

The research, therefore, reframes the debate on social media, moving beyond the binary of “good” or “bad” usage. For a generation deeply entwined with digital technology, this perspective offers hope that social media can be a tool for connection and growth rather than a source of stress and comparison.

It’s been reported that Apple has advised on its discussion forum that force-closing apps on an iPhone can negatively impact device performance and battery life.

Contrary to the common belief that swiping apps closed conserves battery, Apple has clarified that recently used apps are not actively running but are in a “standby mode”. Because they are suspended, they don’t actually consume system resources or drain battery life.

Apple advises that swiping apps closed (force-closing apps) should be reserved only for instances when an app becomes “unresponsive”. Regularly closing apps forces the system to reload them entirely upon reopening, which consumes more processor cycles and, consequently, more battery power.

For businesses, this practice can lead to inefficiencies, especially in environments where employees rely on multiple apps throughout the day. Encouraging staff to leave apps in standby mode can enhance device performance and prolong battery life, reducing downtime and the need for frequent charging.

To optimise battery life, Apple recommends updating to the latest software, lowering screen brightness, utilising Low Power Mode, and disabling Location Services when not needed. Implementing these measures can further support device longevity and efficiency in business settings.

Allowing iPhone apps to remain in standby mode, therefore, rather than force-closing them, aligns with Apple’s design for optimal performance and battery conservation, benefiting both individual users and business operations.

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) has reported dismantling 240 fraudulent websites linked to an Egypt-based cybercrime group, thereby disrupting a key operation within the expanding “Phishing-as-a-Service” (PhaaS) industry.

Central to the threat is the rapid rise of “Adversary-in-The-Middle” (AiTM) phishing attacks, which allow attackers to intercept and manipulate communications, bypassing multifactor authentication (MFA) protections. Microsoft’s latest report revealed a 146 per cent surge in AiTM attacks in 2024, as these techniques become the favoured method for breaching secure accounts. The fraudulent ONNX operation, led by Abanoub Nady (“MRxC0DER”), leveraged AiTM tactics alongside “do-it-yourself” phishing kits to execute widespread attacks, heavily targeting the financial sector.

The kits, sold under a fraudulent ONNX brand, enabled criminals to scale their operations, bypassing advanced security measures. Distributed via platforms like Telegram, the kits followed a subscription model with varying levels of support, including step-by-step guidance. Phishing campaigns originating from these kits were among the top five globally by email volume this year, highlighting the threat’s scale and sophistication.

By obtaining a court order to take control of the malicious infrastructure, Microsoft, in partnership with LF Projects, has disrupted the operation, severing access for cybercriminals and sending a strong deterrent message.

Organisations can protect themselves by adopting advanced email filtering, deploying layered MFA solutions, and ensuring regular cybersecurity training. Vigilance and proactive defences remain critical in countering these increasingly sophisticated phishing techniques.

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) have developed a composite material capable of absorbing more than 99 per cent of electromagnetic waves across multiple frequencies.

Could Transform Many Industries

In an era where technology and sustainability must progress hand-in-hand, the ground-breaking ultra-thin, flexible film could transform industries ranging from energy and telecommunications to defence and environmental health, perhaps marking a major milestone in sustainable materials science.

What Is This New Material?

The researchers achieved this breakthrough by synthesising a unique magnetic composite material and incorporating it into a polymer film with double-sided conductive patterns. Three critical components underpin the material’s success:

– Magnetic Composite Layer (MCL). Synthesised by altering the crystal structure of ferrites, this layer exhibits strong ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) properties, enabling high absorption of electromagnetic waves at specific frequencies.

– Conductive Patterned Grid (CPG). Designed as a precisely engineered filter, the grid transmits electromagnetic waves at certain resonant frequencies while minimising reflection.

– Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube Film (DWCNTF). This film works as the primary absorber, dissipating the trapped waves through conduction losses and enhancing overall shielding effectiveness.

Together, these layers create a material that is not only ultra-thin and flexible but also robust enough to withstand 5,000 bending cycles without compromising performance. Its flexible nature makes it ideal for emerging technologies such as foldable smartphones, rollable displays, and wearable devices.

What Makes This Material Special?

The new material developed by KIMS researchers is so special because it essentially redefines electromagnetic interference (EMI) management with its ultra-thin, flexible design (less than 0.5 mm thick) and an extraordinary ability to absorb over 99 per cent of electromagnetic waves from sources like 5G/6G communications, Wi-Fi signals, and radar systems. Unlike conventional shielding materials, which reflect waves and inadvertently create secondary interference, this material captures and dissipates waves, effectively eliminating electromagnetic pollution.

Its dual capability of ultra-low reflectance (less than 1 per cent) and high absorbance across three distinct frequency bands makes it uniquely suited to mitigate electromagnetic pollution while enhancing the performance of devices reliant on electromagnetic waves. This contrasts sharply with traditional materials, such as metals and carbon-based films, which achieve high shielding through reflection but suffer from inefficiency, secondary pollution, and limitations in high-frequency applications like millimetre-wave (mmWave) technologies.

By adopting an absorption-dominant approach, the KIMS material converts electromagnetic waves into heat or dissipates them through conduction losses, providing a more sustainable and effective solution. As Senior Researcher Byeongjin Park explains, “Conventional shielding materials reflect over 90% of electromagnetic waves, with an absorbance often as low as 10%. Our new composite overcomes these limitations by absorbing and eliminating electromagnetic waves entirely, significantly improving the reliability of wireless communication devices.”

Key Features and Benefits

The composite material’s features and benefits extend far beyond traditional shielding technologies. These include:

– Triple resonant absorption. The material demonstrates ultra-low reflection and high absorption at three distinct frequency bands, including frequencies used in 5G communication, autonomous vehicle radar systems, and wireless gigabit communication. It achieves a total shielding effectiveness (SET) of 70 dB (equivalent to 99.99999 per cent shielding) with less than 1 per cent reflection.

– Flexibility and durability. Its thin, lightweight design ensures easy integration into next-generation devices, while its durability allows repeated folding and bending without degradation, making it ideal for applications in rollable electronics.

– Wide frequency coverage. The material works across mmWave frequency bands, which are critical for advanced communications and radar technologies.

– Environmental advantages. By absorbing rather than reflecting electromagnetic waves, it mitigates secondary interference and electromagnetic pollution, reducing both environmental and health concerns.

Potential Applications

The implications and applications of this material are vast, potentially offering solutions across numerous industries while addressing key sustainability challenges. For example, these could include:

– Enhancing renewable energy systems. The material’s ability to absorb and manage electromagnetic waves efficiently could significantly improve the performance of renewable energy systems. For instance, integrating it into solar panels might allow the capture of a broader spectrum of light, increasing energy conversion rates. Also, it could be used in solar thermal systems to better harness and store energy as heat.

– Revolutionising consumer electronics. With the rapid growth of IoT devices, wearables, and flexible electronics, the demand for compact, efficient EMI shielding solutions has never been higher. This material could ensure these devices operate without interference, consume less power, and last longer. Imagine a world where your smartphone or smartwatch no longer suffers from signal loss or energy inefficiency due to interference.

– Supporting wireless energy harvesting. Ambient electromagnetic waves from Wi-Fi routers, cellular networks, and radio signals could be captured and converted into usable energy for low-power devices. This could open up possibilities for powering IoT sensors, reducing reliance on batteries, and enabling the development of sustainable smart cities.

– Tackling electromagnetic pollution. The material’s unique absorption properties address the growing concern of electromagnetic pollution, a by-product of our increasingly wireless world. By reducing stray waves in urban areas, it could improve environmental health while boosting the performance of critical communication systems.

– Advancing communication technologies. In telecommunications, managing signal propagation with minimal energy loss is crucial. This material could enhance the efficiency of network infrastructure, reduce data transmission costs, and improve signal clarity for technologies such as autonomous driving and drone communication.

– Defence and security. The material’s ability to absorb electromagnetic waves makes it a natural fit for stealth technology, where radar invisibility is paramount. Beyond military applications, it could be used to safeguard sensitive information by preventing electromagnetic eavesdropping.

– Industrial efficiency. From optimising microwave-based manufacturing processes to enhancing heat dissipation in high-performance electronics, this material offers ways to reduce energy consumption and improve the efficiency of industrial operations.

– Sustainable building design. Its heat absorption capabilities could be leveraged in construction, where it might enable passive heating solutions. By capturing and releasing heat as needed, it could reduce dependence on artificial heating and cooling systems.

Why This Innovation Matters for Sustainability

Beyond its immediate technical merits, this material represents a step towards more sustainable technologies. By enhancing energy efficiency, reducing electromagnetic pollution, and supporting the development of cleaner electronic devices, it aligns with the global push for greener, more responsible innovation.

Also, the researchers’ focus on scalability ensures its accessibility for widespread application. The material has already been patented in multiple countries and licensed to domestic manufacturers, with plans to integrate it into real-world devices and systems.

Dr Byeongjin Park summarised its significance: “This material has the potential to transform how we think about electromagnetic wave management. As 5G and 6G communications expand, so too does the need for materials that can improve device reliability and minimise environmental impact. Our innovation is a step forward in achieving these goals.”

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation?

The development of this composite material could represent a significant step forward in both materials science and sustainability. Its innovative ability to absorb over 99 per cent of electromagnetic waves while remaining ultra-thin, flexible, and durable appears to make it uniquely positioned to address some of the most pressing challenges in technology and environmental health.

This material’s absorption-dominant design directly confronts the longstanding issues associated with traditional EMI shielding, such as secondary electromagnetic pollution and inefficiency at higher frequencies. By converting unwanted electromagnetic waves into heat or dissipating them entirely, it reduces interference, enhances device performance, and contributes to the reliability of critical technologies like 5G/6G communications, autonomous vehicles, and IoT devices. The fact that it achieves this while being less than 0.5 mm thick and resistant to wear from repeated bending is nothing short of remarkable.

What truly sets this breakthrough apart, however, is its potential for wide-ranging applications. From revolutionising renewable energy systems to tackling the growing concern of electromagnetic pollution, this material stands out as potentially being a versatile solution with real-world impact. For example, its role in enhancing wireless energy harvesting could redefine urban sustainability, while its ability to improve energy efficiency in consumer electronics and industrial processes offers an opportunity to significantly reduce waste and resource consumption.

Also, the material’s potential in defence, secure communication, and sustainable construction illustrates its adaptability across diverse fields. Its capacity to absorb electromagnetic waves for stealth purposes, enhance thermal management in buildings, and even optimise industrial manufacturing processes demonstrates its vast applicability. Each of these use cases highlights how the material aligns with the global shift towards technologies that not only perform better but also contribute to sustainability goals.

The researchers’ efforts to ensure scalability and accessibility further highlight the importance of this innovation. By licensing the technology for practical applications and securing patents internationally, the KIMS team hopes to have laid the groundwork for integrating this material into mainstream industries. Such a forward-thinking approach may ensure that its benefits can be realised on a global scale, potentially making it a true enabler of sustainable progress.

In a world increasingly reliant on electromagnetic wave-based technologies, the need for efficient, environmentally friendly solutions is critical. This composite material looks as though it not only addresses that need but does so in a way that could open the door to a new era of sustainable innovation. Looking ahead, as its adoption expands, it has the potential to redefine industries, improve energy efficiency, and reduce the environmental footprint of modern technology.