A new study shows how 3D-printed lattice structures can be designed to absorb sound better than traditional materials for quieter buildings and vehicles
A team of researchers from Khalifa University and French aerospace company Dassault Aviation has demonstrated how complex, 3D-printed lattice structures known as TPMS (triply periodic minimal surfaces) can be finely tuned to absorb sound more efficiently than many traditional materials. Lattice structures are highly porous structures designed of three-dimensional repeated unit cells with mathematically engineered geometries. Their study, published in , shows these materials could play a key role in designing quieter, more sustainable environments, from offices and homes to aircraft cabins.
Kamal Sirivuri, Dr. Vignesh Sekar, Prof. Wesley Cantwell, Prof. Kin Liao and Prof. Rashid Abu Al-Rub, from the KU Advanced Digital & Additive Manufacturing Group, with researchers from Dassault Aviation, combined advanced numerical modelling and experimental validation based on thermoviscous acoustics, which accounts for the two primary mechanisms by which sound energy is lost: viscous friction between air and solid surfaces, and thermal conduction due to air compression and expansion.
While conventional noise-control materials rely on bulky foams or fibrous panels, TPMS lattices use geometry to manipulate sound. These intricately interconnected structures can be additively manufactured with remarkable precision, allowing designers to tailor the material鈥檚 acoustic properties at the microscopic level.
The team鈥檚 research revealed several key design principles. Smaller pore sizes lead to higher sound absorption by increasing surface interactions with air molecules. Reducing porosity, while keeping pores interconnected, further enhances performance, as does increasing the thickness of the material. However, the shape and arrangement of pores, not just their size, is also important. Structures with alternating narrow necks and wider cavities, like the team鈥檚 newly developed hybrid lattice structure called P + N, excel at trapping and dissipating sound energy across a wide frequency range.
鈥淎 serene, pleasant, and peaceful environment fosters profound happiness, underscoring the pivotal role of sound levels in determining human health. By harnessing the geometry of TPMS lattices, we can design materials that absorb sound more efficiently. This opens new possibilities for customizable acoustic solutions in architecture, aerospace, and beyond.鈥�
鈥� Professor Rashid Abu Al-Rub, Khalifa University.
The hybrid P + N lattice delivered the best results overall during testing with strong absorption in the critical range for human hearing and common noise pollution. Because TPMS geometries can be described and manipulated through mathematical equations, the team suggests that designers can use their approach to pre-screen designs and avoid time-consuming trial-and-error prototyping.聽
Jade Sterling
Science Writer
