A new type of wallpaper, which has been developed by scientists from the "institut polytechnique Grenoble INP" and the "Centre Technique du Papier", will go on sale in 2013 after a Finnish firm, Ahlstrom acquired the license.

What looks like a bog standard wallpaper roll actually contains silver particles that allows it to filter out up to three different frequencies simultaneously. It is not the first time that such a technology has surfaced. Back in 2004, BAE Systems was tasked by Ofcom to come up with a similar solution based on what was then called a stealth wallpaper.

It used copper instead of silver and blocked Wi-Fi signals while letting GSM, 4G and emergency calls through. Back then though, a square meter cost £500 whereas the Wi-Fi wallpaper devised by the French researchers should be priced reasonably, with costs matching those of a "classic", mid-range wallpaper according to M. Lemaître-Auger, from Grenoble INP.

The wallpaper is made up of interlocked snow flake-like patterns which can be covered up with any other wallpaper of your choice. And there are even talks of using the technology in floors and ceiling to prevent Wi-Fi signals from leaking through the two remaining sides of any rooms.

Other than preventing hackers from penetrating your network, the Anti Wi-Fi wallpaper could be useful in hospitals and anywhere where Wi-Fi signals could be considered as harmful.

That said, the wallpaper won't protect any leaks via windows or doors and some have argued that reducing the power of the router's signal could go some way into improving one's network security.

Sources : News Scientist, L'informaticien