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Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications
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Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 4455

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Eulalia Gliścińska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Textile Institute, Faculty of Material Technologies and Textile Design, Lodz University of Technology, 116 Zeromskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Interests: research on the production of environmentally friendly polymer composites from waste materials, including textiles; sound absorption tests of composites manufactured based on materials obtained from renewable sources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Unwanted sounds can occur anywhere and can vary in frequency. It is crucial that materials affecting the acoustic quality within indoor and outdoor spaces are employed, but also that the spread of sound from the source is limited. A significant challenge in this domain is the design of materials that absorb sound to the highest possible extent and in the widest possible frequency range, and that also meet specific operational requirements related to, for example, the thickness, type of surface, mechanical parameters, durability or ecology. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of the progress made in the field of sound-absorbing materials, both in terms of the degree of absorption and the required performance parameters.

This Special Issue addresses topics related to the innovative materials utilized to absorb sounds of various frequencies and in various conditions, namely indoors, outdoors, and directly at the source. It applies to both novel material and structural solutions. Manuscripts that address the production of sound-absorbing materials; their innovative material composition, structure, appearance, adsorption-enhancing additives and modifications; and the functional properties relevant to the application are welcome.

Dr. Eulalia Gliścińska
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sound-absorbing material
  • sound frequency
  • impedance tube
  • technology
  • material composition
  • structure
  • surface
  • modification
  • additives
  • functional properties

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3341 KiB  
Article
Digitally Controlled Piezoelectric Metamaterial for Low-Frequency and High-Efficiency Sound Absorption
by Xiaodong Zhang, Jing Nie, Jinhong He, Fengbin Lin and Yang Liu
Materials 2025, 18(9), 2102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18092102 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
This study proposes a membrane-type metamaterial with digitally controlled piezoelectric actuation for low-frequency sound absorption applications. The hybrid structure integrates an aluminum membrane functionally bonded with programmable piezoelectric patches (PZTs) and a sealed air cavity. Two innovative control strategies—Resistance Enhancement and Resonance Enhancement—dynamically [...] Read more.
This study proposes a membrane-type metamaterial with digitally controlled piezoelectric actuation for low-frequency sound absorption applications. The hybrid structure integrates an aluminum membrane functionally bonded with programmable piezoelectric patches (PZTs) and a sealed air cavity. Two innovative control strategies—Resistance Enhancement and Resonance Enhancement—dynamically adjust circuit impedance to maximize electromechanical energy conversion efficiency, thereby optimizing absorption at targeted frequencies. These strategies are implemented via a real-time digital feedback system. A coupled piezoelectric-structural-acoustic model is established to characterize the system’s transfer function, with validation through both finite element simulations and impedance tube experiments. Numerical and experimental results demonstrate nearly complete absorption around the resonant frequency, and the bandwidth can be further broadened through multi-resonance superposition. Theoretical analysis confirms that the active control strategies simultaneously modulate the acoustic impedance components (resistance and reactance), thereby optimizing electromechanical energy conversion efficiency. This work establishes a novel active-control methodology for low-frequency and high-efficiency noise mitigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications)
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17 pages, 2640 KiB  
Article
Study on Acoustic Properties of Helmholtz-Type Honeycomb Sandwich Acoustic Metamaterials
by Xiao-Ling Gai, Xian-Hui Li, Xi-Wen Guan, Tuo Xing, Ze-Nong Cai and Wen-Cheng Hu
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1600; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071600 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
In order to improve the acoustic performance of honeycomb sandwich structures, a Helmholtz-type honeycomb sandwich acoustic metamaterial (HHSAM) was proposed. The theoretical and finite element models were established by calculating the acoustic impedance of multiple parallel Helmholtz resonators (HR). By comparing the sound [...] Read more.
In order to improve the acoustic performance of honeycomb sandwich structures, a Helmholtz-type honeycomb sandwich acoustic metamaterial (HHSAM) was proposed. The theoretical and finite element models were established by calculating the acoustic impedance of multiple parallel Helmholtz resonators (HR). By comparing the sound absorption of the single and multiple HR, it was found that the simulation results were basically consistent with the theoretical calculations. The sound absorption and insulation performance of the honeycomb panels, the honeycomb perforated panels, and the HHSAM structure were compared through impedance tube experiments. The results showed that, over a wide frequency range, the acoustic performance of the HHSAM structure was superior to that of the other two structures. Under scattered sound field conditions, the reverberation room results showed that the sound absorption of the HHSAM structure was better than that of the honeycomb panel in the frequency range of 100–5000 Hz. The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of the honeycomb panel was 0.1, indicating almost no sound absorption effect in engineering. The NRC of the HHSAM structure could reach 0.35. In terms of sound insulation, the HHSAM structure was more prominent in the 400–4000 Hz range than the honeycomb panel. In the frequency range of 500–1600 Hz, the transmission loss of the HHSAM was 5 dB higher than that of the honeycomb panel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications)
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16 pages, 6601 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Estimation Based on CT Images and Experiments on the Sound Absorption Coefficient of Foam Materials with Removed Membrane
by Shuichi Sakamoto, Takamasa Satoh, Kaito Tanabe, Koki Maruyama and Yusei Himori
Materials 2025, 18(4), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040846 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 432
Abstract
The structure of foam sound absorbers is not strictly regular, and it is difficult to create a geometric model. In this study, a method for estimating the sound absorption properties of foam sound absorbers with the membrane removed was proposed based on computed [...] Read more.
The structure of foam sound absorbers is not strictly regular, and it is difficult to create a geometric model. In this study, a method for estimating the sound absorption properties of foam sound absorbers with the membrane removed was proposed based on computed tomography (CT) scan images: the circumference of the structure and the cross-sectional area of the voids in the foam cross-section were determined from CT scans of foam materials. The propagation constant and characteristic impedance at the voids were obtained by approximating the foam material cross-section as the clearance between two planes, and the transfer matrix method was used to calculate the normal incident sound absorption coefficient. Further, the sound absorption coefficient was theoretically derived using the effective density with the measured tortuosity applied and compared with the experimental value using a two-microphone impedance measuring tube. By extracting the skeletal part of foam materials by using image processing and removing the residual noise in CT images, and then varying the correction factor for the skeleton surface area, the theoretical value of the sound-absorbing foam without a membrane was closer to the measured value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications)
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14 pages, 15358 KiB  
Article
Acoustic Performance of Tufted Carpets Coupled with Underlayment Produced from Tannery Wool Waste
by Jan Broda, Katarzyna Kobiela-Mendrek, Marcin Baczek and Monika Rom
Materials 2025, 18(2), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020315 - 12 Jan 2025
Viewed by 841
Abstract
Sheep wool is a precious, renewable raw material that is nowadays disregarded and wasted. To better use local sources of wool, it was used to manufacture tufted carpets. The coarse wool of mountain sheep was used to form a carpet pile layer, while [...] Read more.
Sheep wool is a precious, renewable raw material that is nowadays disregarded and wasted. To better use local sources of wool, it was used to manufacture tufted carpets. The coarse wool of mountain sheep was used to form a carpet pile layer, while the waste wool from the tannery industry was applied to form carpet underlayment. During investigations, the acoustic performance of the carpets was assessed. The carpets’ sound absorption coefficients and transmission loss were determined using the impedance tube. It was revealed that the adding of underlayment improves the carpet’s sound absorption only at medium sound wave frequencies. The underlayment significantly increases transmission loss in the whole frequency range. The acoustic performance of the carpets with the wool underlayment is similar to the acoustic characteristics of the carpets with an underlayment made from polyester. It was concluded that wool nonwovens can be used as an effective, eco-friendly, sound-absorbing carpet underlayment, which can improve wool utilisation and contribute to the reduction in environmental pollution caused by plastic residues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications)
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10 pages, 1975 KiB  
Communication
A Compact Low-Frequency Acoustic Perfect Absorber Constructed with a Folded Slit
by Han Wang, Pengwei Ma and Xueling Fan
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5992; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235992 - 6 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 844
Abstract
Tunable perfect acoustic absorption at subwavelength thickness has been a prominent topic in scientific research and engineering applications. Although metamaterials such as labyrinthine metasurfaces and coiling-up-space metamaterials can achieve subwavelength low-frequency acoustic absorption, efficiently realizing tunable absorption under uniform and limited size conditions [...] Read more.
Tunable perfect acoustic absorption at subwavelength thickness has been a prominent topic in scientific research and engineering applications. Although metamaterials such as labyrinthine metasurfaces and coiling-up-space metamaterials can achieve subwavelength low-frequency acoustic absorption, efficiently realizing tunable absorption under uniform and limited size conditions remains challenging. In this paper, we introduce a folded slit to enhance the micro-slit acoustic absorber, effectively improving its low-frequency acoustic absorption performance and successfully achieving a perfect acoustic absorption coefficient of 0.99 at a thickness of only 3.1 cm. By adjusting just two parameters of the folded area, we can efficiently achieve a tunable resonant frequency ranging from 525 to 673 Hz and a tunable acoustic absorption bandwidth of 56.5% to 60.2%, simultaneously maintaining uniform external dimensions. Additionally, the folded-slit absorber demonstrates a broader acoustic absorption bandwidth at lower frequencies, enhancing broadband absorption capabilities in the low-frequency domain. These results hold significant potential for the design of highly efficient, thin and tunable acoustic absorbers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications)
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21 pages, 6191 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Diatomite on the Sound Absorption Ability of Composites
by Michał Łach, Eulalia Gliścińska, Agnieszka Przybek and Krzysztof Smoroń
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184590 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1028
Abstract
Diatomites are well-known mineral materials formed thousands of years ago from the skeletons of diatoms. They are found in many places around the world and have a wide range of applications. This article presents innovative research related to the possibility of using diatomite [...] Read more.
Diatomites are well-known mineral materials formed thousands of years ago from the skeletons of diatoms. They are found in many places around the world and have a wide range of applications. This article presents innovative research related to the possibility of using diatomite as a filler in composites to improve their sound absorption properties. The results of the study of the effect of diatomite processing (calcination) and its degree of fineness on the sound absorption coefficient of thermoplastic composites are presented. Three fractions of diatomite (0 ÷ 0.063 mm; 0.5 ÷ 3 mm; 2 ÷ 5 mm) and its variable mass proportion (0, 25, and 50 wt.%) were used. The composites were made with flax fibers as a reinforcement, polylactide as a matrix, and diatomite as an additional filler. This paper also presents the results of oxide chemical composition, diatomite mineral phase composition, morphology, and thermal conductivity coefficient of all diatomite fractions studied. In addition, the average particle size for diatomite powder was also determined. The most important of the studies was the determination of the acoustic properties of the aforementioned composites. As a result of the tests, it was found that the smallest fraction of diatomite particles and a variant without thermal treatment give the best effect in terms of sound absorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Materials for Sound-Absorbing Applications)
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