EMP and Monolithic

That’s short for ElectroMagnetic Pulse, a burst of electromagnetic radiation caused by a high-energy explosion that can be manmade or nature-made.

Monolithic now introduces EMP safety. A Monolithic Dome with the right components can protect its occupants and/or equipment from EMP devastation — definitely something to be ready for.

Each year, more things become capable of producing electromagnetic pulses. And nature seems to be creating more of these pulses as well.

The following article written by Dr. Jaycee H. Chung, an engineering physicist with EMP expertise, explains EMP and the Monolithic Dome’s ability to protect against it.

Monolithic has developed the safe shelters described below. If you have a project that requires a structure to not only protect you and yours from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire, bombs, bullets and now EMP, get in touch with us via [email protected] or 972-483-7423.

EMP- and EMI-shielding Dome Buildings

by Jaycee H. Chung, Ph.D., P.E.

Causes of EMP

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) can be caused by a number of natural and manmade sources. For example in nature, lightning possessing huge electric energy during strong thunderstorms induces EMP which can cause activation of microwave ovens, Jacuzzi bathtub motors, other appliances, as well as computer malfunction and/or memory loss, etc.

Other natural sources could include geomagnetic storms and electrical discharges which are sometimes present with seismic or volcanic activity. A severe solar storm (solar flare) also induces EMP, causing electric power grid malfunction.

Manmade sources could include the detonation of nuclear weapons, detonation of a non-nuclear electromagnetic bomb, or EMP beam weapons. Three general classes of EMP are considered in nuclear scenarios:

• Local EMP — caused by a proximity nuclear burst at low altitude, or ground burst.

• High-altitude EMP (HEMP) — caused by a nuclear burst, with detonation altitudes in the 10,000 to 100,000 ft range.

• System-generated EMP (SGEMP) — caused by primary Gamma-ray and X-ray radiation directly into electronic system devices, thereby leading to the induction of electric current by ionizing radiation in conductors due to charge exchange in cavities in the system.

In nuclear scenarios, the rise time of the EMP may be sub-nanosecond in rate, with the resulting frequency content being very high and broad-banded.

EMP causes electromagnetic interference (EMI) in electronic system devices, causing immense damages on high-tech electronics that are the essential parts of today’s information-highway society. Some governments have started to pay close attention to EMP- and EMI-shielding because of the potential damage on commercial and military electronic systems that affect financial infrastructure and national defense.

Global Contour Ltd.

EMP and EMI affect can be minimized via an optimum design and construction of building structures using an EM energy-absorbing construction material. This EMP/EMI-shielding principle applied to building construction is similar to STEATH technology in a certain respect. Global Contour Ltd. developed EM energy Absorbing Concrete (EMAC®) to do just that under the sponsorship of U.S. government agencies as a spin-off technology. The Economist recently published an article on the company’s EMP-shielding semi-conductive concrete material technology.

Monolithic Dome Institute

The Monolithic Dome Institute is collaborating with EMAC® developer Global Contour Ltd. to construct EMP/EMI-shielding dome buildings. Other safety measures to protect from EMP and EMI activities are to be implemented as well. Such dome buildings can be conveniently constructed per the current dome construction process using EMAC® through the optimum dome design process.

Dome structures possess many advantages over conventional building structures. Dome buildings have sound structural integrity, and they are able to efficiently resist hurricanes, tornadoes and typhoons due to their smooth spherical shape.

Dome structures can also resist earthquakes better because of their dome-building characteristics; (i) one-piece continuous dome structure, (ii) gradually thickened lower wall cross-section and (iii) dome wall continually and firmly connected to foundation.

Dome structural design philosophy was originally developed in the ancient Greek and Roman period, and the building technique is well proven. More importantly, dome buildings offer substantial cost advantages in construction and maintenance, not to mention beautiful artistic building features.

With the EMP/EMI shielding feature implemented into dome construction with EMAC® utilizing an optimum design practice, near-perfect buildings can be constructed. This EMP- and EMI-shielding and structurally sound Monolithic EMAC® Dome construction offers various building usages, such as public gathering buildings (churches, mosques, school buildings, sport arenas, convention centers, concert halls, etc.), electronic signal/data-sensitive buildings, wireless telecommunication facilities, military C4ISR facilities, factories, power plants, including highly safe residential housing.

The Monolithic EMAC® Domes can be highly effective for protection from radio-signal electronic spying in the future as well.

Principal investigator Dr. Chung is a highly experienced engineering physicist, who possesses rich R&D experience in electromagnetic energy-related smart materials technology. Under the sponsorship of U.S. government agencies, he developed Multifunctional Smart Concrete of which material formula can be tailored for different applications: EMP- and EMI-shielding building construction, intrusion detection pavement for facility security monitoring, infra-structural health monitoring application, etc.

The Economist published a few articles about the relevant technologies he was developing in the past. Among them is a recently published article on EMP-shielding conductive concrete. This EM-energy absorbing concrete is highly valuable for EMP- and EMI-shielding building construction.