Breakthrough Achieved: One-Way Sound Wave Propagation

ETH Zurich researchers develop a method to direct sound waves in a single direction without energy loss, potentially impacting future wave technologies.

• Scientists from ETH Zurich and EPFL have created a system that allows sound waves to travel in only one direction, avoiding unwanted reflections.
• The innovation uses self-sustaining aero-acoustic oscillations within a circulator to maintain the strength of forward-moving sound waves.
• The circulator, a disk-shaped device, uses swirling air to synchronize sound waves, enhancing their energy and directionality.
• This method could be applied to electromagnetic waves, offering potential advancements in radar and communication technologies.
• The research, published in Nature Communications, represents a significant step in the manipulation of wave propagation for technological applications.

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