Acoustic Metamaterials can put a mute button on the world

[kernals12]

A team at Boston University developed a 3d printed metamaterial that is capable of reducing noise by 95%. The most obvious application for this would be on jet engines, but they say it can be molded into any sort of shape, meaning it could make for an extremely effective highway noise barrier, or perhaps they would integrate it into a car's wheel well or the tire itself.

[Big John]

How would that account for rumble strips where noise is needed?

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I would oppose integrating anything into the car that could mask the driver being able to hear something wrong with it.

[kernals12]

I would oppose integrating anything into the car that could mask the driver being able to hear something wrong with it.

Most people like their cars quiet. Rolls Royce famously boasts that the only thing you can hear from the inside of one of their cars is the clock ticking.

[kphoger]

I would oppose integrating anything into the car that could mask the driver being able to hear something wrong with it.

Most people like their cars quiet. Rolls Royce famously boasts that the only thing you can hear from the inside of one of their cars is the clock ticking.

Unless something's wrong with it, hopefully.

[kernals12]

Also, this could be used for HVAC systems, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, and one hopes it could be used for noisy restaurants. I imagine the number of people seeking ear exams will initially skyrocket, because they'll wonder if the reduction in noise is from hearing loss, but then it will plummet because the amount of actual hearing damage will plunge