Overview

• Researchers at Tiangong University replicated owl skin’s porous structure and feather microfibers in a two-layer aerogel to target both low- and high-frequency noise.
• Laboratory tests demonstrate the aerogel absorbs 58% of incident sound waves and lowers automobile engine noise from 87.5 decibels to 78.6 decibels.
• The bottom layer is formed by freezing hexane droplets in a polymer matrix to create honeycomb pores that scatter and dissipate low-frequency rumble.
• A top layer of silicon nanofibers mimics feather fibers to dampen high-frequency sounds within a single lightweight material.
• Mechanical testing shows the aerogel endures 100 compression cycles with just 5% deformation, signaling potential for automotive and industrial noise-control applications.