Vibrating silk fabric is sound-insulating like ANC headphones, only better

The material is barely thicker than a human hair. And it can be made to vibrate by applying an electrical voltage, which results in at least two very interesting properties.

As with noise-reducing headphones, a sound wave can be generated in the opposite direction to the disturbing noise so that it is canceled out. The problem is that this technology only works in a very limited range. After all, both sound waves have to reach the ear synchronously, albeit offset. It is therefore better not to move.

Instead, the new development, which looks like a curtain covered with silk or other thin fabrics, can do something else: incoming sound would cause it to vibrate so that it can continue undisturbed on the other side.

Now the material completely cancels out these vibrations. The incoming sounds cannot be transmitted. What not even particularly thick and heavy fabrics can achieve, a very delicate fabric can.

The measurement results are particularly impressive when hanging freely. For example, the study measured 20 decibels less sound pressure level in some cases with a fabric just 50 micrometers thick, but at least 10 decibels less.

Because each reduction of 10 decibels corresponds to a halving of the perceived volume, the curtain can reduce sounds to up to a quarter of their original volume. This turns the hiss of a vacuum cleaner into rain or a normal conversation into a background roar.

In future, all you have to do is draw the delicate silk curtain instead of having to put on a pair of ANC headphones or shout at the neighbors because they are vacuuming, mowing the lawn or partying at half past twelve in the morning.