A new fabric has been developed by a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other research institutes in the USA. This innovative fabric is almost as thin as a human hair, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye. However, what makes this fabric truly special is its ability to significantly reduce noise in two ways.
Firstly, the fabric can emit opposing sound waves that cancel out direct noise, similar to how noise-canceling headphones work. This means that when placed in direct cancellation mode, the fabric can reduce noise levels by up to 65 decibels.
Secondly, the fabric can block sound transmission by holding it still to prevent vibrations that contribute to sound travel. In indirect vibration suppression mode, the fabric was able to reduce noise levels by up to 75%.
Researchers found that the mechanical properties and pore size of the fabric play a crucial role in its effectiveness at reducing noise. The study showed that the new fabric was able to reduce noise levels by up to 65 decibels in direct cancellation mode and up to 75% in indirect vibration suppression mode. The team is currently looking into how the fabric can block multi-frequency sounds and improve its overall performance even further.
The lead author of the study, Grace Yang, stated that their goal is to create spaces of silence in a world filled with noise. By harnessing the power of fabric vibrations, they hope to establish quiet environments where people can focus on their work or simply enjoy some peace and quiet. Further developments will focus on understanding the structure of the fabric and enhancing its noise-reducing capabilities.
Overall, this new fabric could revolutionize how we approach noise reduction in our daily lives, providing us with a unique solution for those seeking a more peaceful environment.
