A new fabric has been developed by a group of experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other research institutes in the USA. This fabric is nearly as thin as a human hair and is designed to significantly reduce noise in two ways. First, the fabric can emit opposing sound waves to cancel out direct noise, similar to noise-canceling headphones. Second, it can block sound transmission by holding the fabric still to prevent vibrations that contribute to sound travel.
In a study, the researchers found that the mechanical properties and pore size of the fabric play a role in its effectiveness at reducing noise. The new fabric was able to reduce noise by up to 65 decibels in direct cancellation mode and up to 75% in indirect vibration suppression mode. The team is looking to further research how the fabric can block multi-frequency sounds and improve its overall performance.
Lead author of the study, Grace Yang, stated that the goal is to create spaces of silence in a world filled with noise. By harnessing the power of fabric vibrations, the researchers hope to establish quiet environments. Further developments will focus on understanding the fabric structure to enhance its noise-reducing capabilities.