An absorbing structure has a body provided on air vehicles. At least one transition metal alloy is located on the body that consists of two-dimensional inorganic compounds formed by bonding a plurality of carbon atoms and a plurality of nitrogen atoms. A plurality of layers contain the transition metal alloy. At least one barrier coating consists of the layers, which based on a conductivity of the layer, prevents and provides protection against plastic and/or elastic deformations that may occur on the body when an electromagnetic wave acts on the body.

The present invention(s) is directed to novel conductive M.sub.n+1X.sub.n(T.sub.s) compositions exhibiting high volumetric capacitances, and methods of making the same. The present invention(s) is also directed to novel conductive M.sub.n+1X.sub.n(T.sub.s) compositions, methods of preparing transparent conductors using these materials, and products derived from these methods.

A method of forming a MAX Phase composite can include forming a precursor powder into a discrete shape to thereby form a green body; heating the green body at a pre-sintering temperature to partially reduce the oxide present in the green body to thereby form a pre-sintered preform; and performing reactive infiltration by heating the pre-sintered preform in the presence of an infiltrating material comprising an A-group element to an infiltration temperature suitable for transforming the infiltrating material to a molten state, wherein the molten infiltrating material reacts with the pre-sintered preform to thereby form the MAX Phase composite.