Scientists have created a fabric that can reduce noise pollution

The materials of the future that will isolate noise indoors will not consist of special foam, thick walls or thick concrete, but of thin electrified fabric. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have just created a special fabric made from silk and cotton that promises to reduce acoustic waves through interference or suppression.

The fabric consists of special fibers that vibrate when exposed to electricity. Despite being barely thicker than a human hair, the fabric can use this movement to generate waves (that is, transmit sound) that interfere with waves coming from the opposite direction. MIT explains that this process can be compared to noise-canceling headphones.

When the fabric is in a rigid position, its composition dampens vibrations, which are a key component of sound transmission. In other words, when the material is attached to a window, it prevents sounds from passing through it, creating a barrier between the listener and the source of the noise. MIT notes that this behavior is ideal for soundproofing spaces such as rooms or cars.

The material can be created from simple fabrics such as silk or cotton. According to a study published in the journal Advanced MaterialsMIT’s development reduces vibration waves by 95%, resulting in 75% sound attenuation. “Vibration suppression is made possible by vibration modes in tissue that match the modes excited by an external sound source. In the correct relative phase, when an external sound wave impacts tissue, energy is not transferred to it, but the sound wave is reflected,” the paper explains.

Green option against noise

Noise pollution is a serious problem in most cities around the world.. This mainly affects vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children and marginalized groups. The World Health Organization considers noise to be a major risk factor for mental and physical health. For its part, the United Nations (UN) has classified the phenomenon as a “scandal killer.”

The UN has proposed some plans to mitigate the effects of noise pollution. One of the most famous is the increase in green areas. Vegetation has the ability to absorb acoustic energy, diffuse noise, and amplify natural sounds. In addition, he suggests promoting bicycle lanes to indirectly reduce traffic space and reduce traffic noise.

Although there are currently ways to soundproof a room, they are all expensive and harmful to the environment. Many materials used in the soundproofing industry are made from hydrocarbons. The MIT study notes that current soundproofing slabs could be placed side by side to form a field of 5 billion cubic meters. Meanwhile, the acoustic insulation market is valued at $12 billion. Tension-responsive fabric is not only a more cost-effective option, it is also more aesthetically pleasing and has a lower environmental impact.