Tunable acoustic metamaterial using length-variable labyrinth for broadband soundproofing and ventilationa)

Area of Science:

• Acoustics
• Materials Science
• Metamaterials

Background:

• Traditional soundproofing solutions often compromise ventilation.
• Achieving tunable acoustic properties without altering external geometry is a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a tunable acoustic metamaterial for simultaneous broadband soundproofing and ventilation.
• To engineer a device with adjustable sound attenuation properties via a reconfigurable mechanism.

Main Methods:

• Design of a metamaterial featuring labyrinthine channels and a rotatable rear body.
• Induction of Fano-like interference between sound waves.
• Theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental validation of the tunable design.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated broadband soundproofing with over 95% attenuation from 587 to 1741 Hz.
• Achieved tunable sound attenuation by simply rotating the rear component, altering channel length.
• Confirmed consistent external geometry throughout the tuning process.

Conclusions:

• The proposed acoustic metamaterial offers a practical solution for tunable noise control and ventilation.
• The rotating mechanism provides an effective and simple method for reconfiguring acoustic properties.
• This reconfigurable metamaterial has potential applications in environments requiring both noise reduction and airflow.