MIT develops noise-canceling silk

INA - SOURCES

MIT researchers have developed a silk fabric that suppresses sound using vibrations, offering two techniques: canceling noise through interference and preventing its transmission.

This innovative material could transform noisy environments into tranquil spaces, making it ideal for use in cars, rooms, and open workspaces.

To address the issue of noise, a team of interdisciplinary researchers from MIT and other institutions has developed an innovative silk fabric designed to suppress sound and create quieter spaces.

This fabric, as thin as a human hair, features a special fiber that vibrates when voltage is applied. The researchers utilized these vibrations to suppress sound in two distinct ways.

The first method uses the fabric to generate sound waves that interfere with and cancel out unwanted noise, much like noise-canceling headphones.

However, while effective in small areas, this technique is less practical in larger spaces like rooms or airplanes.

The second, more surprising technique involves keeping the fabric still, which blocks the vibrations that transmit sound. 

By halting this sound transmission, the fabric significantly reduces noise in larger areas, making it ideal for spaces like rooms or vehicles.