Revolutionary Fabric Developed at MIT Reduces Noise by Up to 75% in Two Ways

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other research institutes in the USA have developed a new fabric that is nearly as thin as a human hair. This innovative material is designed to significantly reduce noise in two ways. Firstly, it can emit opposing sound waves to cancel out direct noise, similar to noise-canceling headphones. Secondly, 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 crucial 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 now 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 their ultimate goal is to create spaces of silence in a world filled with noise. By harnessing the power of fabric vibrations, they hope to establish quiet environments. Further developments will focus on understanding the fabric structure to enhance its noise-reducing capabilities.