A Flexible Meta-Curtain for Simultaneous Soundproofing and Ventilation

Xiaobin Cui; Chenkai Liu; Jinjie Shi; Changhui Shen; Xiaozhou Liu; Yun Lai

doi:10.3390/sym14112348

Symmetry (Nov 2022)

A Flexible Meta-Curtain for Simultaneous Soundproofing and Ventilation

Xiaobin Cui,
Chenkai Liu,
Jinjie Shi,
Changhui Shen,
Xiaozhou Liu,
Yun Lai

Affiliations

Xiaobin Cui: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Chenkai Liu: MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Jinjie Shi: MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Changhui Shen: MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Xiaozhou Liu: MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Yun Lai: MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14112348
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 11
p. 2348

Abstract

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We demonstrate a flexible meta-curtain that can simultaneously block the propagation of sound waves of selected frequencies and let air flow through freely. Such a meta-curtain is assembled by two soft and perforated polyvinyl chloride films with an optimized distance between them. The total thickness of the meta-curtain is 1.16 cm and the holes on it have a diameter of 5 cm. The functionality of soundproofing is bestowed by the resonances formed between the films, which is verified by band structure analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental measurements. We experimentally observed sound transmission loss with a peak of 50 dB near 1700 Hz and an average of 26 dB from 1000 Hz to 1760 Hz, which is consistent with the numerical results. Attributing to the softness of the films and the robustness of the resonance, this meta-curtain retains its functionality even at deformations such as bending. Our work paves a way toward soundproof structures with the advantages of ventilation, flexibility, and light weight.

Published in Symmetry

ISSN: 2073-8994 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Mathematics
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/symmetry/

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