Stopping the voices and enforcing silence

By Alun Williams

Posted on 28 Jun 2002 at 12:52

Japanese scientists hit on a way to block mobile phone signals in restaurants, cinemas or any other place where a mobile ring tone would not be welcome...

According to New Scientist, the Japanese researchers are constructing special wood-panelling that will leave mobile phones dead to the outside world.

The system works by layering magnetic nickel-zinc ferrite between thin slices of wood. Apparently, the ferrite absorbs the radio signal transmitted at frequencies typical for GSM mobiles, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi computer networks.

Initial tests have stopped 97 per cent of a test microwave signal.

Ultimately, the researchers - lead by Hideo Oka at Iwata University - are hoping for widespread availability of their mobile-blocking material, such that the panelling could be generally available in hardware stores.

Just how much of a good idea is this? Would silence really be golden or - now that we all have mobile phones - should we not lighten up restrictions on their use? Leave a comment.