Stealth Jets Powered by Radar? China's New 6G Smart Surface Flips the Script
Chinese researchers at Xidian University have developed a 6G smart surface that converts radar waves into electricity, enabling stealth jets to use enemy surveillance as a power source.
Radar isn't just a threat anymore; it's a battery. Chinese scientists have unveiled a smart surface that turns electromagnetic waves into usable electricity, potentially reshaping the future of stealth and 6G communications.
Turning Surveillance into Energy
According to the South China Morning Post, a research team from Xidian University has developed an innovative material capable of energy harvesting from electromagnetic environments. The system integrates wireless information transfer with power generation, creating a self-sustaining electronic ecosystem.
The team focused on "electromagnetic cooperative stealth." Instead of simply bouncing radar waves away to remain invisible, future aircraft could absorb those very waves to power onboard systems or facilitate communication. It's a move from passive evasion to active engagement with enemy signals.
The 6G Advantage
This technology isn't limited to the battlefield. The researchers noted that it could give China a significant edge in developing 6G infrastructure, including communication satellites. By harvesting ambient electromagnetic energy, next-gen devices could operate with far greater efficiency, reducing the need for massive battery systems.
Authors
Related Articles
Mobile World Congress 2026 kicks off with 6G discussions, but 5G's promised revolution remains largely unfulfilled. What does the next generation really mean?
Samsung Electronics' union branch revealed that 84% of survey respondents oppose the government's roughly $290 billion (₩400 trillion) semiconductor megaproject in Gwangju. Government, management, the union and shareholders are all reading the same national project in sharply different ways.
Nvidia shipped roughly a billion RISC-V cores in 2024, then announced it would run CUDA on the open standard. We break down how royalty-free instruction sets and open software stacks are trying to route around CUDA's lock-in. Part 2 of the Semiconductor Sovereignty series.
US AI-chip export controls split into three layers in the first half of 2026 — January easing, a May crackdown on circumvention, and a pending bill. Nvidia erased China from its guidance and still posted a record $81.6 billion quarter. A look at the export policy that both shields and cages it.
Thoughts
Share your thoughts on this article
Sign in to join the conversation