August 31st, 2024

Ultra-thin sound-suppressing silk fabric works like noise-cancelling headphones

Researchers have developed a lightweight silk fabric with piezoelectric fibers that reduces noise transmission by 75%, offering a practical solution for soundproofing in various applications like drapery and room dividers.

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Ultra-thin sound-suppressing silk fabric works like noise-cancelling headphones

Researchers in the U.S. have developed a lightweight silk fabric embedded with piezoelectric fibers that can reduce noise transmission by up to 75%. This innovative fabric works similarly to noise-cancelling headphones, utilizing destructive interference to cancel out sound waves. When sound waves hit the piezoelectric fibers, they generate a small electric current, causing the fabric to vibrate and act like a speaker, effectively blocking or reflecting sound. The fabric's thinness, comparable to a human hair, allows it to be used in various applications, such as drapery or room dividers, providing a simpler alternative to traditional soundproofing methods. Future research aims to optimize the fabric's design by adjusting the number of fibers, voltage, and pore size to enhance its sound-blocking capabilities. This development could offer a practical solution for reducing noise in residential and commercial spaces, addressing the growing issue of noise pollution in modern environments.

- Researchers have created a silk fabric that reduces noise by up to 75%.

- The fabric uses piezoelectric fibers to cancel out sound waves through destructive interference.

- It can be applied in various settings, such as drapery or office dividers.

- Future studies will focus on optimizing the fabric's design for better soundproofing.

- This innovation offers a simpler alternative to traditional sound insulation methods.

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By @az09mugen - 6 months
Clever to use physic without electricity to replace (hopefully in the future) electric components