More Efficient Sound Insulation Panels Thanks to 3D Printing

Sound insulation is something that often goes unnoticed in our daily lives. However, it is incredibly important, not just in the construction of buildings, homes or hospitals, but also in the development of automobiles or in industrial environments. And now it seems that additive manufacturing has a role to play. A recent study has shown that printing noise-insulating panels results makes them lighter and narrower without sacrificing efficiency. In addition to 3D printing, this study also looked at how to use of metamaterials to better dissipate noise in the panels, resulting in the researchers proposing a specific design for better sound insulation. Let’s see what these insulating panels look like!

The main feature for which the study stands out is its focus on the design of large labyrinth-shaped panels with acoustic metamaterials. Metamaterials have a completely different structure from “conventional” materials. In this case, a labyrinth-like structure has been designed that dissipates sound as it passes through the material. Thanks to this structure, it is possible to obtain high absorption over a wide range of frequencies, surpassing current panel design.

Images of the panels (photo credits: Federico Bosia)

After extensive testing, the design was approved for 3D printing. Additive manufacturing allows millimeter precision in the construction of its internal structures needed for the panels. The research suggests polymeric materials optimized to improve sound absorption, and would be combined with porous materials to increase their efficiency. In this way, additive printing facilitates design customization according to the specific needs of each environment.