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Air-Water Acoustic Transmission Enhancement Device Based on Encapsulated Bubble Metasurface
Keke Wang1, Yating Wen1, Xiaoyu Zhu2
1State Key Laboratory of Fluorine & Nitrogen Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an710049, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 13, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel encapsulated bubble metasurface to significantly boost sound transmission between air and water. This breakthrough overcomes impedance mismatch challenges, enabling enhanced underwater acoustic applications and communication.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Acoustic transmission across the water-air interface is limited by impedance mismatch.
- Existing metamaterials and resonant bubbles face challenges like design for homogeneous media and stability issues.
- Gas-filled packaging inspired a new approach using encapsulated bubbles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and investigate an encapsulated bubble-based acoustic metasurface for enhanced water-air sound transmission.
- To systematically analyze the impact of bubble parameters on transmission performance.
- To create a practical device for air-to-water acoustic transmission enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations to study the effects of bubble size, spacing, height, and distance from the interface.
- Experimental validation of the metasurface's performance.
- Development of an air-to-water acoustic transmission enhancement device (ATED).
Main Results:
- Simulations predicted over 300 times enhancement in transmitted acoustic energy.
- Experiments showed over 15 dB enhancement in the 340-360 Hz range.
- The developed ATED achieved a peak transmission enhancement of 23.9 dB, with tunable frequency.
Conclusions:
- The encapsulated bubble metasurface offers a stable and effective solution for improving water-air acoustic transmission.
- The ATED demonstrates practical utility for acoustic communication and other applications.
- This research presents a potential method for repurposing plastic films, contributing to environmental mitigation.
