Meta-Material Sound Insulation

Abstract

This paper describes a novel class of meta-materials that exhibit significantly greater transmission loss than conventional sound insulation systems of similar size and weight over selected frequency bands. This is achieved by the action of small resonator elements distributed throughout the wall at spacings much smaller than the wavelength of structural vibrations in the base wall material. The research reported here is at an early stage. Experiments are described which demonstrate enhanced transmission loss in small proof-of-concept samples and a simple theoretical model is presented.