Acoustic skin meta-muffler

The effective elimination of sound energy traveling in open ducts is critical in acoustics, with considerable potential in diverse applications ranging from duct noise control to exhaust system design. However, previous absorber mechanisms are bulky or have limited ventilation or unsatisfactory absorption capability. We propose and experimentally demonstrate the concept of meta-mufflers capable of quasi-perfectly absorbing airborne sound propagating in an open duct while minimizing the influence on airflow because of its vanishing thickness. The mechanism uses coupling among asymmetric metasurfaces to achieve impedance match and subsequent high absorption in a subwavelength scale, which is explained analytically and validated experimentally. The proposed meta-muffler features an uncomplicated design, high attenuation efficiency, and a thickness of nearly two orders of magnitude of wavelength, ensuring the free pass of other entities. Furthermore, our design offers the flexibility of tuning and extending working bandwidth by hybridization of weak resonances. The performance of the proposed muffler is verified via experiments, which correlate excellently with theoretical predictions. The realization of meta-mufflers opens a route to novel acoustic absorbers and could have far-reaching implications in a plethora of important scenarios calling for both perfect sound absorption and open acoustic paths.     

Durability of sound absorbing materials for highway noise barriers

This paper presents the results of a research study into two properties of sound absorbing materials intended for highway noise barrier applications: their durability and their sound absorption coefficients before and after exposure to adverse weather. After surveying the products of 34 manufacturers, eight materials and one “absorption system” were tested in the field and the laboratory. Even though there is no single, accepted test for weather endurance for these kinds of material, the results of the study provide in ormation on their likely future behaviour when installed on a barrier. The results apply at least partially to other outdoor situations too, and augment the limited information presently available on sound absorptive materials for outdoor use.     

阵列式阻性消声器传递损失计算模型

针对气流通道彼此独立且截面尺寸较小的直管式阻性消声器,Belov基于声波导管理论推导了其消声量计算公式,但该公式不适用于气流通道彼此连通且截面尺寸较大的阵列式阻性消声器。为此,提出了一种阵列式消声器消声量计算方法。将阵列式消声器划分为周期性排列的消声单元,每个消声单元包含1个吸声柱。分别参照扩张式消声器和直管阻性消声器计算消声单元的抗性部分(进出口气流通道截面突变处)和阻性部分消声量的理论值TL₁和TL₂。在此基础上,采用有限元法仿真得到消声器消声量仿真值TL_s,基于阻性部分消声量仿真值和理论值的比值(TL_s-TL₁)/TL₂,拟合确定各倍频带阻性消声量修正函数N_f,即修正后的消声量理论值计算模型为TL′_t=TL₁+TL₂·Nf。作为算例,建立了多孔吸声材料流阻率为11425 Pa·s/m²时适用于不同结构尺寸的阵列式消声器消声量计算模型。实测结果...     

Quieting Weinberg 5C: a case study in hospital noise control

Weinberg 5C of Johns Hopkins Hospital is a very noisy hematological cancer unit in a relatively new building of a large medical campus. Because of the requirements for dealing with immuno-suppressed patients, options for introducing sound absorbing materials are limited. In this article, a case study of noise control in a hospital, the sound environment in the unit before treatment is described, the chosen noise control approach of adding custom-made sound absorbing panels is presented, and the impact of the noise control installation is discussed. The treatment of Weinberg 5C involved creating sound absorbing panels of 2-in.-thick fiberglass wrapped in an anti-bacterial fabric. Wallpaper paste was used to hold the fabric to the backing of the fiberglass. Installation of these panels on the ceiling and high on corridor walls had a dramatic effect. The noise on the unit (as measured by the equivalent sound pressure level) was immediately reduced by 5 dB(A) and the reverberation time dropped by a factor of over 2. Further, this drop in background noise and reverberation time understates the dramatic impact of the change. Surveys of staff and patients before and after the treatment indicated a change from viewing the unit as very noisy to a view of the unit as relatively quiet.     

Applicability of locally reacting boundary conditions to porous material layer backed by rigid wall: Wave-based numerical study in non-diffuse sound field with unevenly distributed sound absorbing surfaces

To clarify the applicability of locally reacting boundary conditions in wave-based numerical analyses of sound fields in rooms, we numerically analyzed a non-diffuse sound field in a room with unevenly distributed sound absorbing surfaces and investigated the differences between the extended and local reactions. Each absorbing surface was a porous material layer backed by a rigid wall. Simulations were performed by the fast multipole boundary element method, a highly efficient boundary element method using the fast multipole method. At low frequencies, the extended and local reactions yielded similar reverberation decay curves because of the influence of the room. However, when the random incidence absorption coefficients were small at low frequencies or frequencies were high, the difference was greater than expected from the corresponding Eyring decay lines. We conclude at high frequencies, the locally reacting boundary conditions lead to a longer reverberation time than that expected from the absorption coefficient differences between the extended and local reactions. These differences were similar in sound-pressure-level and sound-intensity-level distributions, and in the oblique incidence absorption coefficient of the absorbing surfaces, but were increased at low frequencies.     

On the use of perforations to improve the sound absorption of porous materials

The concept of meso-perforations in appropriately chosen porous media can help enhance their sound absorption performance. The meso-perforated materials are also referred to as “double porosity materials” since they are made up of two interconnected networks of pores of different characteristic size. Several theoretical, numerical and experimental works have been accomplished on the subject by the authors. The purpose of this paper is to give a synthetic review of these works and establish practical design rules to develop optimized noise control solutions based on this concept. The paper presents two complementary models to deal with this kind of materials: an analytical model based on homogenization techniques and a numerical model relying on a finite element discretization of the domains. The limits of these models are discussed. The choice of the design parameters is then been investigated in order to provide practical design rules. This choice relies on a criterion which is evaluated from the knowledge of the resistivity, porosity and tortuosity of the micropous medium, and the calculation of a geometrical parameter defined from the chosen mesoscopic structure. Experimental and numerical results regarding the influence of the mesopore profile along the thickness performed in a appropriately chosen substrate microporous medium are presented. The agreement between the models and the experiments is satisfactory. Results show that significant enhancements of the absorption properties can be obtained over a selected frequency band by adjusting the mesopore profile. It is also shown that interesting absorbing properties can be obtained when coating a double porosity medium with an impervious screen.     

Acoustic properties of micro-perforated panel absorber having arbitrary cross-sectional perforations

Micro-perforated panel absorber is used in many noise control applications as a next-generation absorbing material. Perforation shapes of micro-perforated panel studied are usually circular in the past. However, in practice, the perforations are often non-circular or irregular shape due to manufacturing techniques. Sound absorption coefficient and absorption bandwidth of the micro-perforated panel absorber may be further improved, when the perforations in shape are changed. In view of the existing exact solutions of sound propagation in tubes, the simple formulas of specific acoustic impedances of the tubes for triangle and square cross-sectional perforations are derived. Mass reactance end correction of the micro-perforated panel is obtained based on the sound radiation of a shaped piston. The specific acoustic impedance ratio of the micro-perforated panel absorber is calculated and analyzed, which can predict its sound absorption bandwidth. Finally, for closed perforations, the influences of the perforations in shape (including triangle, circle, square and irregular circle) on sound absorption of the MPP absorber are discussed in collaboration with FE simulations.     

Evaluation of sound absorption capacity of asphalt mixtures

Noise generation is an environmental problem that affects human beings, animals and even plants. Several serious diseases have their development associated to the exposure of human beings to high levels of noise pressure, such as arterial hypertension, gastrointestinal changes, alterations in blood glucose and high heart rate, among others. Vehicle traffic is part of a group of noise-generating factors. Various mechanisms govern the generation and propagation of vehicle noises, which are produced mainly by motor vibration at speeds below 50 km/h and by the tire-pavement contact at speeds above 50 km/h. The noise generated by tire-pavement contact is the result of two components: aerodynamic noise (mainly related to the coating porosity), and mechanical noise (related to the coating texture). The noise generation according to these two components may be mitigated by using special asphalt mixtures. This work evaluates the sound absorption of four different types of asphalt mixtures (common dense-graded asphalt mixture, dense-graded rubberized asphalt mixture, rubberized porous coat with void volumes varying from 22% to 27%, and rubberized open-graded friction course) and the effect of granulometry and void volume of each mixture on the sound absorption coefficient. Mixture slabs were molded in a slab compactor developed by LCPC (Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées) and specimens were extracted from each one for assessing the sound absorption capacity in the laboratory. The acoustic behavior was evaluated according to standard ISO 10534-2, using impedance tubes. Results showed that sound absorption is strongly influenced by void percentage, interconnected void percentage and layer thickness.     

基于双尺度4分离层优化的石墨烯太赫兹宽带吸波结构

为实现对未来远程太赫兹雷达的高效对抗与隐身,针对典型太赫兹雷达工作频率设计了一种石墨烯太赫兹宽带吸波结构。宽带吸波结构以表层金属层/石墨烯层/介质层/底层金属层为基本吸波结构单元,利用遗传算法对双尺度基本吸波结构单元进行4分离层优化设计,确定宽带吸波结构的各层结构参数。仿真结果表明:宽带吸波结构在0.138 THz～2 THz频率范围内吸收效率优于80%,在0.157 THz～2 THz频率范围内吸收效率优于97.46%,典型太赫兹雷达工作频率处吸收效率均优于92.27%,满足太赫兹雷达对抗与隐身要求。     

梯度穿缝型双孔隙率多孔材料的吸声性能

在传统单一孔隙率多孔材料中引入宏观尺度的周期性梯度穿缝结构设计,构造出梯度穿缝型双孔隙率多孔材料,其包含多孔材料基体微孔尺度与穿缝尺度两个尺度。采用分层等效的理论建模方法,将复杂梯度渐变问题变为多层均匀等效层叠加问题。针对不同特征尺寸的多孔材料薄层,分别采用低、高两种渗透率对比度双孔隙率理论,给出了其等效密度和动态压缩系数,再应用传递矩阵方法得到了相邻薄层之间的声压和质点速度传递关系并求得其表面声阻抗,从而建立了梯度穿缝型双孔隙率多孔材料的吸声理论模型。发展了多尺度材料声学有限元数值模型,在所考虑的100~3000 Hz频段范围内数值模拟结果完全吻合理论模型结果。理论与模拟分析了多尺度结构参数对双孔隙率多孔材料吸声性能的影响,结果表明引入多尺度梯度结构设计能够显著提高单一孔隙率多孔材料的吸声性能,且穿缝尺度比穿缝梯度影响更为显著;精细数值模拟获得的声压和能量密度分布云图揭示了多尺度结构设计的吸声增强机制。该工作可用于指导双孔隙率多孔材料的多尺度结构设计,从而提高多孔材料的中低频吸声性能。      

Acoustical and fire-retardant properties of jute composite materials

This research aims to study the acoustical and flammability properties of biodegradable and easily disposable natural fibre jute and its composite for noise reduction in house hold appliances, automotive and architectural applications. Acoustical properties of jute fibre and felt (natural rubber latex jute composite) were measured in terms of normal specific sound absorption coefficient and sound transmission loss whereas fire retardant tests included limiting oxygen, flame propagation and smoke density test. The results illustrate that low density jute is a better sound absorber as compared to high density jute material, moreover natural rubber latex jute composite gives higher sound transmission class value than jute felt/cloth. Results were also compared with commercially available synthetic, non-biodegradable, glass fibre which indicates that the noise reduction coefficient value and sound transmission class rating of natural rubber latex jute felt are comparable to that of the popular fibre glass. Fire retardant tests show composite’s high limiting oxygen index value as compared to fibreboard and other natural sound absorbing material, wool, low smoke density rating and low light absorption with respect to fibre glass as well as self fire extinguishing ability.     

Absorption of long waves by linear structures

The phenomenon of resonance absorption of long waves by small-size oscillators is studied both analytically and numerically. The phenomenon consists in that the scattering cross section of an oscillator (a monopole, a dipole, etc.) is determined by the wavelength of the absorbed wave and does not depend on the wave size of the oscillator when this size tends to zero. The expression for the optimal excitation amplitude is derived for a group of oscillators of arbitrary wave size in the framework of the boundary-value problem formulated in the general form in terms of the generalized velocities and generalized forces. Using examples of linear structures (consisting of monopoles equidistantly positioned on the axis), the possibility of obtaining the maximal absorption cross section for sound absorption by such structures with a small wave size is investigated. Examples of linear structures providing unbounded logarithmic, linear, or quadratic growth of the total absorption cross section with an increase in the number of monopoles comprising them are considered for the case of the wave size of the absorbing structures being as small as desired. Characteristic features of the cooperative and individual strategies of absorbing oscillators are described. The results are applicable to waves of various physical natures.     

The prediction of traffic noise using a scale model

This paper describes the development of means of using a scale model of a road and its surrounding urban environment to predict L_eq, L₁₀ and other measures of traffic noise. The model described is that of the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment, Grenoble, France. The problems involved in the development include allowance for relative sound absorption between real life and the model situation, the constraints on the accuracy of the results due to noise source variations on the model and the effects of the finite size of the model.     

一种现场测量材料吸声特性的新方法

现有的材料吸声系数测量方法主要有混响室法和驻波管法,都属于实验室测量方法,不适合现场测量。使用普通扬声器的反射法可以对材料的吸声特性进行现场测量,但是对材料尺寸和测试环境有较高的要求。本文利用参量阵非线性自解调可听声的高指向性和在阵长距离内的平面波特性,结合传递函数法,测量材料的吸声系数,并与传统驻波管测量结果进行了对比。结果表明在普通房间条件下,不需要驻波管,混响室等实验环境,即可对小尺寸的材料进行吸声系数的现场快速测量,具有较大的实用性。      

Impedance approach to designing efficient vibration energy absorbers

The concept introduced previously by the authors on the best sound absorber having the maximum allowable efficiency in absorbing the energy of an incident sound field has been extended to arbitrary linear elastic media and structures. Analytic relations have been found for the input impedance characteristics that the best vibrational energy absorber should have. The implementation of these relations is the basis of the proposed impedance method of designing efficient vibration and noise absorbers. We present the results of a laboratory experiment that confirms the validity of the obtained theoretical relations, and we construct the simplest best vibration absorber. We also calculate the parameters and demonstrate the efficiency of a dynamic vibration absorber as the best absorber.     

Schlieren photography to study sound interaction with highly absorbing materials

Strong absorption of sound is often caused by the conversion of sound energy into heat. When this happens, it is not possible to study the interaction of sound with the absorbing material by means of reflected sound characteristics, because there is no reflected sound. Detecting for example the distance that sound travels in a strongly absorbing material, can be done by heat detection systems. However, the presence of temperature detectors in such materials interferes with the sound field and is therefore not really suitable. Infrared measurements are a possible option. Another option is the use of Schlieren photography for simultaneous visualization of sound and heat. This technique is briefly outlined with a 3 MHz sound beam incident on a highly absorbing sponge.     

Theory of the new high-efficiency absorbing and nonscattering coatings

On the basis of the impedance theory of absorption and scattering of sound that was earlier proposed by the author [Acoust. Phys. 52, Nos. 5, 6 (2006)], a general scheme of novel high-efficiency absorbing and nonscattering coatings is proposed. Such a coating is called a coating with an extended reaction. It consists of a set of discrete elements, each of which is in a certain way coupled with neighboring elements. The theory of this type of coating and the method for determining the best values of its parameters are presented. A planar coating with an extended reaction is analyzed in detail, and its efficiency is shown to be much higher than the efficiency of the coatings that are currently available for practical use.     

多孔扩散型消声器外壳对其性能影响的研究

多孔扩散型消声器由于其体积小、消声性能高而广泛应用到排气噪声的降低上,其外壳对消声器的消声性能具有重要作用。本文对此类消声器外壳的孔型、孔径和孔距以及外壳同消声材料的配合方面进行了细致的实验研究,特别对外壳与消声材料的配合与其排放噪声以及外部流场之间的关系进行了探讨,得到了一些有用的结论,对消声器性能的提高具有一定指导意义。     

Integration of the efficiency of noise barrier caps in a 3D ray tracing method. Case of a T-shaped diffracting device

Road barrier diffracting caps have shown a renewed interest for several years since they give the opportunity of increasing the barrier efficiency without changing its overall height. First investigations on the efficiency of road barrier caps calculated with a boundary element method (BEM) have shown that the efficiency obtained with coherent line sources is underestimated compared to that with incoherent line sources, more representative of road traffic noise. The present work deals with the characterisation of the real performance of a T-shaped absorbing cap with road traffic noise conditions. Two different approaches are compared: on one hand calculations with the help of a BEM program able to achieve 2D and 2D simulations are made; on the other hand outdoor measurements on a test-wall using a maximum length sequence technique are carried out. The goal in the two approaches is to isolate the top edge diffracted sound field in order to determine an extrinsic value of octave band efficiency of the cap for many source-receiver pairs. These results integrated in a ray tracing prediction method enable the integration of air absorption along each ray path and give the real efficiency of such a device in the case of complex and realistic configurations for barriers of finite length.     

CPP-GMR heads with a current screen layer for high areal density

We investigated the potential for high-areal-density recording in current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) heads with a current screen layer. The current screen layer is a nano-oxide layer with confined current paths. We fabricated the current screen CPP-GMR heads with a narrow sensor width of 40–50 nm, a high MR ratio of 17%, and low-resistance-area (RA) product of 0.2 Ω μm². The fabricated heads showed a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 30–40 dB. No extra noise, such as spin-torque noise, was observed. Linear density of 1360 kFCI from the head with the magnetic read width of 45 nm was obtained. Distribution of sensor resistance due to nano-hole area distribution in the current screen layer can be reduced with low-RA film. Spin-torque noise can be suppressed by reducing the current-induced field and controlling the shape anisotropy. Accordingly, the current screen CPP-GMR head is a promising candidate that has the potential for high-areal-density recording.