Advanced acoustic metamaterials for noise reduction, optimised for additive manufacturing technologies

Project Team

Principal Investigator:

Dr. John Kennedy

Graduate Student:

Dr. Agnieszka Ciochon

Overview

Acoustic metamaterials are an emerging class of engineered materials capable of manipulating sound in ways that defy the limitations of conventional materials. Through carefully designed microstructures, these materials can control reflection, refraction, and diffraction of sound waves—unlocking new possibilities for noise reduction across a range of applications.

This project focuses on the end-to-end development of acoustic metamaterials tailored for additive manufacturing (AM). The first challenge lies in designing complex, simulation-ready microstructures that deliver targeted acoustic performance. Next, the focus shifts to manufacturing: producing these geometries with the precision required to preserve their intended properties. Finally, the design process is closed through experimental validation, using physical test results to refine both models and fabrication strategies. This iterative loop enhances understanding of both the acoustic behavior and practical manufacturing of metamaterials.

By integrating numerical modelling, AM technologies, and experimental acoustics, the research advances the practical deployment of high-performance acoustic materials in real-world noise control scenarios.

Research Publications:

1. Ciochon A, Kennedy J. Efficient modelling of surface roughness effects in additively manufactured materials. Applied Acoustics. 2024 Apr 15;220:109953.
2. Ciochon A, Kennedy J, Leiba R, Flanagan L, Culleton M. The impact of surface roughness on an additively manufactured acoustic material: An experimental and numerical investigation. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 2023 Mar 3;546:117434.
3. Ciochon A, Kennedy J. 3D Printed Acoustic Materials for the Performance Enhancement of a Building Acoustics Silencer. InINTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings 2023 Nov 30 (Vol. 268, No. 8, pp. 206-214). Institute of Noise Control Engineering.
4. Ciochon A, Kennedy J. Practical Guidance On The Additive Manufacturing Of Acoustic Materials. InINTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings 2023 Nov 30 (Vol. 268, No. 8, pp. 194-205). Institute of Noise Control Engineering.

Ciochon AH, Kennedy J, Leiba R, Flanagan L. The impact of additive manufacturing on the acoustic performance of novel porous materials. In28th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics 2022 Conference 2022 (p. 2903).

Funding Agency

Irish Research Council