The ultra-thin curtain, created by MIT, that absorbs all noise. How it works

Hey there, noise-sensitive friends!

As someone who’s always on the lookout for innovative solutions to everyday problems, I’m thrilled to share about the ultra-thin noise-absorbing curtain developed by MIT researchers. This groundbreaking invention is a game-changer for those seeking peace and quiet in our increasingly noisy world.

Here’s how it works:

• The curtain is just 2mm thick, making it incredibly space-efficient.
• It uses a combination of plastic membrane and mathematically-designed rigid frames.
• Sound waves are redirected and trapped within the structure, preventing them from passing through.
• The curtain can block up to 94% of noise across a wide range of frequencies.

Key benefits:

• Lightweight and easy to install
• Effective against various types of noise (traffic, construction, etc.)
• Potential applications in homes, offices, and industrial settings

For more details, check out the full research paper.

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In an increasingly hectic and noisy world, the MIT researchers have invented a device that could really change our lives. A silk tent little thicker than a hair capable of isolating from noise of surrounding environments: here’s how it works.

MIT’s curtain that insulates against noise

An invention that came about by accident, just as they were trying to achieve the opposite result. MIT scientists were working on a device useful for amplifying noises, but they accidentally achieved the opposite result. Something that happens with all the best discoveries.

Thus was born a wafer-thin fabric, almost as thin as a hair, which has the ability to acoustically isolate an environment. A revolutionary discovery, which makes it possible to achieve curtains that insulate against noise just as walls do, but much thinner and, therefore, less bulky.

An incredible step toward a quieter future: “It is much easier to create noise than silence. Indeed, to keep noise out we reserve a lot of space to thick walls. The work of Grace (first author of the research) provides a new mechanism to create quiet spaces with a thin sheet of fabric.” says Yoel Fink, professor in the departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Initially, to achieve the hoped-for result, scientists tried to modifying the cloth and muslin, and then opt for silk, the material chosen for this invention. In this way, one could create partition curtains For the noise-absorbing rooms in our home, without losing valuable space.

Grace H. Yang, the first author of the research, explained, “Although we can use fabric to create sound, there is already so much noise in our world. We thought creating silence might be even more valuable.”

A revolutionary and truly compelling idea, considering how much everyone today is looking for a greater peace of mind. Just think of insulating headphones and soundproof rooms, which are definitely more complicated to achieve.

Ultra-thin anti-noise curtain: how it works

But how it works this revolutionary fabric?

The hitech silk fabric, when held still, has the ability to Reflect sounds without letting them penetrate into other rooms. In this way, the room is isolated, and the noise is concentrated solely in that room.

Another possible scenario is that related to vibration, thus when the curtain is not held firmly. In this case, the device generates sound waves which interfere with the noise by eliminating it. In this case, however, its function is more limited, preventing optimal performance in very large spaces.

La that of silk is not a choice left to chance: the material, in fact, is able to Reduce the volume of sounds by up to 65 decibels.

The researchers hope to be able to apply their invention not only of the houses, but also of the inside means of transportation such as cars and airplanes. A move into the future that is only in its infancy. “There are many knobs we can turn to make this sound-suppressing fabric really effective. We want to make people think about controlling structural vibrations to suppress sound. This is just the beginning” said Yang. The goal of a quieter and more peaceful life could come through this very fabric, whose applications, over time, can become many.