{"id":3209,"date":"2025-12-22T21:25:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T02:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/?page_id=3209"},"modified":"2026-02-18T20:24:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T01:24:23","slug":"making-the-world-a-lot-quieter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/news\/selected-media-quotes\/making-the-world-a-lot-quieter\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\ndetails > summary::-webkit-details-marker{ display:none !important; }\ndetails > summary::marker{ content:\"\" !important; }<\/p>\n<p>details > summary{\n  list-style:none !important;\n  cursor:pointer !important;<\/p>\n<p>  display:grid !important;\n  grid-template-columns: 1.15em 1fr !important;\n  column-gap: 0.75em !important;<\/p>\n<p>  align-items:start !important;\n  width:100% !important;\n  line-height:1.45 !important;<\/p>\n<p>  word-break: normal !important;\n  overflow-wrap: normal !important;\n  white-space: normal !important;\n  hyphens: none !important;\n}<\/p>\n<p>details > summary .xz-pm{\n  grid-column:1 !important;\n  font-weight:900 !important;\n  line-height:1 !important;\n  text-align:center !important;\n  color:#111 !important;\n  opacity:0.85 !important;\n  margin-top:0.10em !important;<\/p>\n<p>  padding-right: 0.6em !important;\n}<\/p>\n<p>details > summary .xz-sumtext{\n  grid-column:2 !important;<\/p>\n<p>  display:block !important;\n  min-width:0 !important;<\/p>\n<p>  word-break: normal !important;\n  overflow-wrap: break-word !important; \n  white-space: normal !important;\n}<\/p>\n<p>@media (max-width:640px){\n  details > summary{\n    grid-template-columns: 1.0em 1fr !important;\n    column-gap: 0.5em !important;\n  }\n  details > summary .xz-pm{ margin-top:0.14em !important; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<p><script>\r\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {\r\n  document.querySelectorAll('details').forEach(function (d) {\r\n    var s = d.querySelector(':scope > summary');\r\n    if (!s) return;\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Remove whitespace-only text nodes inside summary\r\n    Array.from(s.childNodes).forEach(function(n){\r\n      if (n.nodeType === 3 && !n.textContent.trim()) s.removeChild(n);\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Add +\/- if missing\r\n    var pm = s.querySelector(':scope > .xz-pm');\r\n    if (!pm) {\r\n      pm = document.createElement('span');\r\n      pm.className = 'xz-pm';\r\n      pm.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');\r\n      s.insertBefore(pm, s.firstChild);\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Wrap everything else into a single title span\r\n    var wrap = s.querySelector(':scope > .xz-sumtext');\r\n    if (!wrap) {\r\n      wrap = document.createElement('span');\r\n      wrap.className = 'xz-sumtext';\r\n\r\n      Array.from(s.childNodes).forEach(function (node) {\r\n        if (node === pm) return;\r\n        wrap.appendChild(node);\r\n      });\r\n\r\n      s.appendChild(wrap);\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ \u2705 Initial state (includes a non-breaking space)\r\n    pm.textContent = d.hasAttribute('open') ? '\u2212\\u00A0' : '+\\u00A0';\r\n\r\n    \/\/ \u2705 Update on toggle\r\n    d.addEventListener('toggle', function () {\r\n      pm.textContent = d.hasAttribute('open') ? '\u2212\\u00A0' : '+\\u00A0';\r\n    });\r\n  });\r\n});\r\n<\/script><\/p>\n<style>\ndetails > summary{\n  display: block !important;        \n  list-style: none !important;\n  -webkit-appearance: none !important;\n  appearance: none !important;\n}<\/p>\n<p>details > summary::-webkit-details-marker{\n  display: none !important;\n}<\/p>\n<p>details > summary::marker{\n  content: \"\" !important;\n  display: none !important;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div style=\"line-height:0; margin:-12px 0 0 0; padding:0;\">\n<p style=\"margin:4px 0 4px 0; font-style:italic; line-height:1.4;\">\n  Our research has been featured by hundreds of international media and news outlets, as well as professional societies and industry communication platforms.\n  <\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<details open style=\"display: block; margin: 16px 0; padding: 12px 14px; border-left: 6px solid #e0e0e0; background: #fafafa;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/articles\/2019\/making-the-world-a-lot-quieter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Making the World a Lot Quieter<\/a><\/summary>\n<div style=\"height:3px; background:linear-gradient(90deg,#f58529,#dd2a7b,#8134af,#515bd4);\"><\/div>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F0F8FF; border-left: 5px solid #6ea8fe; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(110,168,254,0.18);\">&ldquo;Though less publicized than its notorious air and water counterparts, <strong>noise pollution is a growing problem<\/strong>. And while modern sound-mitigating barriers may help drown out the whir of rush-hour traffic or contain the symphony of music within a concert hall, they leave little room for airflow. So, a pair of Boston University mechanical engineers created an <strong>acoustic metamaterial designed to silence sounds at their source, without blocking the movement of air<\/strong>.&rdquo; [Geek.com]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F5FFFA; border-left: 5px solid #34c38f; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(52,195,143,0.16);\">&ldquo;Scientists discover a <strong>strange shape that blocks almost all sound<\/strong>. We live in a loud world. Car engines, cellphones, pop music piped through grocery-store speakers \u2212 it can seem impossible to escape all the noise. Silence is a luxury. But a new shape discovered by researchers at Boston University <strong>could help bring peace and quiet to our lives<\/strong>. Well, at least some quiet.&rdquo; [Digital Trends]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FFFAF0; border-left: 5px solid #f7b84b; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(247,184,75,0.16);\">&ldquo;This acoustic material could change your life. Researchers at Boston University have developed an <strong>open-ring structure that could reduce ambient noise to near-silence<\/strong>, \u2026 Whether at work, in health or in transport, this soundproofing ring could change our lives in three ways: Reduce noise in office spaces, reduce the noise you hear when you have an MRI, and reduce the noise of aircraft propellers and drones.&rdquo; [Business Insider]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FFFAFA; border-left: 5px solid #f06595; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(240,101,149,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>A device that silences noise without blocking airflow<\/strong>. As is known, sound is a wave propagating through the air, therefore, to achieve high-quality sound insulation, airflow has to be blocked. You can forget about it now, as a device that silences almost all the noise without interfering with the air circulation has been created. People have been quite creative in blocking extra sounds. The walls of rehearsal studios and concert halls have always been covered with special noise absorbing materials, and residential buildings are often times soundproofed against noisy neighbors. The device created by Boston University scientists <strong>allows you to take a fresh look at the problem<\/strong>.&rdquo; [Hitecher]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F8F8FF; border-left: 5px solid #9c6ade; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(156,106,222,0.17);\">&ldquo;<strong>This new material acts like a giant mute button<\/strong>. Now, researchers from Boston University have created a new kind of material. \u2026 It&rsquo;s what&rsquo;s known as a &ldquo;metamaterial&rdquo; &mdash; a material that&rsquo;s been engineered to have properties not found in nature. The tiny helical pattern of plastic inside the ring-shaped shell sends incoming soundwaves back to their origin, thereby <strong>blocking sound but not air<\/strong>. \u2026 Allowing for airflow is key to some potential uses for the material. You can&rsquo;t put a traditional silencing material on a jet engine or a drone and still allow it to fly. But the <strong>new 3D-printed metamaterial could potentially be used to curtail noise<\/strong> from aircraft, fans and HVAC systems without interfering with the airflow.&rdquo; [Smithsonian]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F0FBFC; border-left: 5px solid #15aabf; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(21,170,191,0.16);\">&ldquo;3-D printed acoustic metamaterial &mdash; <strong>the soundproof material of the future<\/strong>. Researchers at Boston University have recently made a remarkable discovery. \u2026 This unique design provides a <strong>transparent structure that allows air and light to pass through but prohibits sound<\/strong>. \u2026 Rather than absorbing sound, this new soundproof material reverses the sound wave&rsquo;s direction thus eliminating noise. But it does so without requiring airflow and light to be blocked as well. \u2026 The potential applications of this soundproof material are tremendous. \u2026 By stacking or connecting 3-D designs of this acoustic metamaterial, <strong>the potential applications are endless<\/strong>.&rdquo; [Bold Business]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F6F8F2; border-left: 5px solid #7c8f3a; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(124,143,58,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>New noise-blocking material could make jets and drones super quiet<\/strong>: \u2026 researchers at Boston University have engineered an acoustic metamaterial that&rsquo;s designed to silence annoying sounds at their source, without blocking the movement of air. \u2026 Sometimes it&rsquo;s intentional and pleasant; like talking, or music, but quite often it&rsquo;s an annoying whine produced by machines like heating and cooling systems, jet engines, or propeller blades that are all specifically designed to move air. \u2026 but researchers from Boston University have <strong>come up with a solution that outperforms them all<\/strong>, without impeding the actual movement of air which is what makes most sound blocking approaches impractical for products like cooling fans, or drones. \u2026 Those are promising results from just the first prototype, and as the team works to refine and perfect their metamaterial, they will almost certainly improve its ability to block sound.&rdquo; [Gizmodo]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FDF5E6; border-left: 5px solid #c27c2c; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(194,124,44,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>Ring the noise<\/strong>. The usual solution to walling off noise pollution is to do just that: Wall it off. The usual solution to walling off noise pollution is to do just that: Wall it off. The thicker the barrier, the more effective for muting noise. But if you want to nab noise at the source, that method of sound proofing is not so effective. A six-foot slab of concrete behind a jet engine might eliminate some noise, but it will also prevent the jet from flying. But researchers at Boston University <strong>have done the seemingly impossible<\/strong>: They&rsquo;ve created a noise cancelling ring that can <strong>both quiet a jet and allow it to fly<\/strong>.&rdquo; [ASME]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F3F4F6; border-left: 5px solid #868e96; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(134,142,150,0.14);\">&ldquo;<strong>Ring of silence<\/strong>. Although current noise-mitigating barricades, called baffles, are capable of dulling the sound of traffic or focusing the sound of music, they often fall short when it comes to situations where airflow is also critical. Tarmac workers, for example, must wear headphones if they want to avoid the deafening roar of the airplanes. Now, researchers at Boston University have demonstrated that it&rsquo;s actually possible to <strong>silence noise while maintaining airflow<\/strong> using an open, ringlike structure designed to mathematically perfect specifications.&rdquo; [Thomas Insights]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F0F8FF; border-left: 5px solid #6ea8fe; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(110,168,254,0.18);\">&ldquo;<strong>Shape blocking sound<\/strong>. Small shapes. Big sounds. Boston University created a 3D-printed ring with <strong>mathematically modeled design, shaped in such a way that it can block sound<\/strong>. \u2026 Imagine applying this idea to the work scene. Work cubicles need not be an isolated experience. Sound can be rejected and sent back to the source by a simple 3D printed material. Glass doors are not as efficient as the acoustical metamaterial. Nor do they allow for the passage of air. \u2026 Another important application would be the growing horde of drones encircling the sky. Or that HVAC system on the roof or in the back yard or in the garage. Each 3D print would be tailored to circumstances. Based on mathematical design, that design would vary from application to application and so would the 3D printing for the application.&rdquo; [Alliant]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F5FFFA; border-left: 5px solid #34c38f; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(52,195,143,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>Metamaterials block noise without hindering air flow<\/strong>. Sometimes the world can be a noisy place, especially in big cities where traffic, car alarms, passing jets and the general buzz of city life can seem deafening. While there already are some solutions to drown out or contain sounds, they often also prevent airflow, which can be limiting for some applications such as jet engines. Now mechanical engineers at Boston University have developed a new metamaterial that can <strong>block out 94 percent of noise but still allow for air flow<\/strong>, solving a critical issue with current noise-cancellation solutions.&rdquo; [Design News]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FFFAF0; border-left: 5px solid #f7b84b; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(247,184,75,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>No more noise: metamaterials can make the world a quieter place<\/strong>. In many situations, it can be impossible to use soundproofing because it blocks air flow. We don&rsquo;t think about this much, but it&rsquo;s pretty obvious. Adequate air flow is vital to mechanical systems. If there&rsquo;s a lack of air components can overheat, they can fail, function inefficiently, or break down altogether. And some of these are machines or applications that get blamed for that humming sound like wind turbines, propellers, engines, cooling fans, pipes. So there are all kinds of mechanical applications that would benefit from lightweight, see-through soundproofing that can stop noise, but still allow air to flow freely. And that&rsquo;s what Zhang&rsquo;s team did. \u2026 <strong>By being so open, the silencer is able to uniquely address some of the key problems with many prior iterations of noise counselors<\/strong>. Again, that they don&rsquo;t allow for that important airflow. \u2026 the world is not getting quieter, and new sounds, like the were of wind turbines or the buzz of delivery drones, will likely add to the din. All the more reason for us to start planning for the future of noise now.&rdquo; [The Wall Street Journal]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FFFAFA; border-left: 5px solid #f06595; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(240,101,149,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>This 3D printed &lsquo;acoustic metamaterial&rsquo; might be the future of noise cancellation<\/strong>. Get ready to shelve your disgusting earplugs because this one is a doozy. \u2026 Unlike other soundproof methods which use thick panels, the acoustic metamaterial doesn&rsquo;t turn sound vibrations into heat. This allows users to mold the material based on what they are trying to soundproof; be it a room, motor, or an office cubicle. \u2026 With <strong>endless applications<\/strong> for the technology in different fields, the acoustic metamaterial could <strong>easily replace the hefty soundproofing equipment<\/strong> we&rsquo;ve been using all these years. Coupled with its customizable nature, the tech could even <strong>mute sounds which couldn&rsquo;t be muted before<\/strong> \u2026&rdquo; [SolidSmack]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F8F8FF; border-left: 5px solid #9c6ade; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(156,106,222,0.17);\">&ldquo;Do your upstairs neighbors own a herd of elephants? Is your open office space an orchestra of sneezes during allergy season? If you answered &lsquo;yes,&rsquo; fear not. A team of Boston University mechanical engineers have the solution to your most agitating noise problems. \u2026 <strong>The potential uses are endless<\/strong> &mdash; <strong>we&rsquo;re talking soundproof invisible walls or quieting the noise inside MRI machines<\/strong>. The technology could also be a game-changer for e-commerce delivery by eliminating controversial delivery drone noises.&rdquo; [Built in Boston]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F0FBFC; border-left: 5px solid #15aabf; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(21,170,191,0.16);\">&ldquo;Offices and tiny apartments could be transformed by the work of Boston University researchers, who recently unveiled an &#8220;acoustic metamaterial&#8221; that blocks all sound. \u2026 <strong>The implications for architecture and interior design are remarkable<\/strong>, because these metamaterials could be applied to the built environment in many different ways. For instance, they could be stacked to build soundproof yet transparent walls. Cubicles will never be the same. \u2026 Even in MRI machines, which can be harrowingly loud for patients trapped in a small space, could be quieted. <strong>There&rsquo;s really no limit to the possibilities<\/strong>, \u2026&rdquo; [Fast Company]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F6F8F2; border-left: 5px solid #7c8f3a; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(124,143,58,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>A meta-material to end noise pollution<\/strong>. Whether at home, at the office or in the street, we all suffer from noise pollution to varying degrees. It can even become unbearable for some. Researchers at Boston University are apparently close to solving this problem. \u2026 This &lsquo;acoustic meta-material&rsquo; is shaped like a large, mathematically-designed and 3Dprinted synthetic ring able to capture certain frequencies passing through the air and reflect them towards their source. The advantage it offers is that air and light can pass through it, but not sound. \u2026 <strong>Soundproofed walls<\/strong>. It is easy to imagine the many opportunities for such an innovative item, particularly in the field of architecture and interior design. \u2026 <strong>Ending noise pollution<\/strong>. The ring could also be used to reduce the noise made by medical imaging devices and ventilation systems. \u2026 <strong>There seems to be infinite variety of applications for this item!<\/strong>&rdquo; [Plastics the mag]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FDF5E6; border-left: 5px solid #c27c2c; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(194,124,44,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>A new soundproofing material may actually make city apartments silent<\/strong>. Crying babies, barking dogs, and jackhammers from a nearby construction site are all among the melange of noises that city and apartment dwellers might deal with every day. But what if it all just \u2026 stopped? Researchers at Boston University have just created an acoustic meta-material that is designed to catch certain sound frequencies and send them back to their source. \u2026 The discovery <strong>could have a significant impact on architecture and design<\/strong>, where soundproofing has been both costly and not always effective &mdash; as anyone who&rsquo;s ever lived in a noisy apartment or eaten at a deafeningly loud restaurant can tell you.&rdquo; [Hunker]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F3F4F6; border-left: 5px solid #868e96; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(134,142,150,0.14);\">&ldquo;<strong>A new (and quiet) era of acoustics is opening up<\/strong> as engineers from Boston University have created a material that can silence noise without reducing airflow. \u2026 <strong>The future is quieter<\/strong>. One of the biggest applications is muffling industrial sounds, especially in packed urban areas. \u2026 Urban planning. This can also find applications in modern <strong>urban planning<\/strong> and interior design, especially one that utilizes natural lighting. \u2026 Passive noise canceling. The mindfulness industry, \u2026 may also benefit from these advances. \u2026 The possibilities for an acoustic metamaterial are endless, \u2026 As noise pollution increasingly becomes a concern, <strong>stifling noise may soon prove to be a blessing<\/strong>.&rdquo; [Discoveries News &amp; Future Science News]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F0F8FF; border-left: 5px solid #6ea8fe; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(110,168,254,0.18);\">&ldquo;<strong>The birth of the 3D printed acoustical metamaterial industry<\/strong>. \u2026 <strong>This is quite a feat of metamaterial design<\/strong>. \u2026 It would be possible, however, to design a metamaterial for a given, and fixed, acoustical scenario. \u2026 There are no doubt thousands, perhaps even millions, of such situations worldwide. It seems to me this could be a rather large business opportunity. Imagine a service business where acoustical measurements are taken in an office situation, and a custom acoustical deadening solution is generated by specialized software. This design could then be easily chopped up and 3D printed in smaller parts. The parts could then be installed by the service business into a client&rsquo;s location. I could see many such service businesses able to operate in most cities, providing 3D printed acoustical solutions where none where easily obtainable previously. <strong>This could be a whole new industry<\/strong>, and one that might <strong>generate significant demand for 3D prints<\/strong>.&rdquo; [Fabbaloo]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #F5FFFA; border-left: 5px solid #34c38f; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\">&ldquo;<strong>3DPrinted acoustic metamaterials<\/strong>. Although noise-mitigating barricades, called sound baffles, can help drown out the whoosh of rush hour traffic or contain the symphony of music within concert hall walls, they are a clunky approach not well suited to situations where airflow is also critical. Imagine barricading a jet engine&rsquo;s exhaust vent-the plane would never leave the ground. Instead, workers on the tarmac wear earplugs to protect their hearing from the deafening roar. \u2026 If these can be made on home 3DPrinters, we may <strong>even finally have a 3DPrinter popular hit that everybody wants to have in bulk<\/strong>. It&rsquo;s a Eurekalert that actually makes me want to say Eureka.&rdquo; [WIRED]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FFFAF0; border-left: 5px solid #f7b84b; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(247,184,75,0.16);\">&ldquo;<strong>Acoustic metamaterial is a noise silencer that is as cool as it sounds!<\/strong> Call me old or whatever, but I believe that we live in a loud noisy world. There&rsquo;s a billion sound producing objects around us, and a billion others that bounce and amplify them. Noise pollution is a classic modern age issue that no one is working towards solving. Since the sound isn&rsquo;t going anywhere, how do we inhibit it from reaching your ears? Enter &mdash; acoustic metamaterial, a solution that is as cool as it sounds (or doesn&rsquo;t sound). \u2026 <strong>The structure is also very lightweight and looks beautiful enough to be used for architectural purposes<\/strong>. It can also be made in various shapes depending on the need. Once scaled, this could <strong>change the way we look at loud objects<\/strong>, with everything from concerts to vehicles to personal music consumption. Imagine having some version of the acoustic metamaterial for noise-cancelling headphones to turn our surroundings imperceptible!&rdquo; [Mashable]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 6px 6px 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">\n<div class=\"media-card\" style=\"padding: 8px; margin: 2px 0; background: #FFFAFA; border-left: 5px solid #f06595; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 16px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.14), 0 6px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 10px 26px rgba(240,101,149,0.16);\">&ldquo;If you&rsquo;ve ever fallen asleep to the din of highway noise in a cheap hotel or gritted your teeth through a neighbor&rsquo;s loud parties, you know how hard it can be to block sound from your surroundings. A new breakthrough by researchers at Boston University could make it a little easier to keep things quiet &mdash; and all without blocking air and sunlight. <strong>The future is coming, and it&rsquo;s just the right volume<\/strong>.&rdquo; [Curiosity]<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our research has been featured by hundreds of international media and news outlets, as well as professional societies and industry communication platforms. Making the World a Lot Quieter &ldquo;Though less publicized than its notorious air and water counterparts, noise pollution is a growing problem. And while modern sound-mitigating barriers may help drown out the whir [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1316,"featured_media":0,"parent":1096,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3209"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1316"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3209"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9935,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3209\/revisions\/9935"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/xinzhang-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}