'Super device' prevents noise pollution

The new design of engineers from National University of Singapore (NUS) helps noise reduction 6 times more effective than other solutions, while being more compact.

Noise caused by low-frequency sounds (500 Hertz or less) is considered a noise pollution in urban environments. It comes from a variety of sources, such as construction machinery and aircraft .

What is more remarkable is that this type of noise is capable of transmitting and distorting the surrounding area.

Noise pollution causes many health problems - (Photo: Getty Images).

Low-frequency noise is also known to cause negative physiological reactions, such as changing blood pressure, causing dizziness and difficulty breathing, even if we cannot hear this type of noise.

Currently, most of the equipment and noise-canceling structures on the market are only effective at reducing high-frequency noise, while low frequencies continue to "flutter".

Engineers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) recently conducted low-frequency noise reduction experiments with modular, lighter and thinner modular 3D print blocks of noise reduction devices available on the market. .

The results show that the new design eliminates low-frequency interference below 500 Hertz with an average reduction in volume of 31 decibels, 6 times more effective than other commonly used noise-barrier solutions.

Notably, modular design also helps engineers better control noise reduction characteristics and produce them at cheaper prices.

The team also developed the Noise Explorer mobile application that allows accurate monitoring of noise data based on a new way of calibrating smartphone microphones. Application helps authorities identify and reduce noise sources more effectively.

Lee Heow Pueh - assistant professor of mechanical engineering at NUS University - said his research group is exchanging with a local company to develop more and commercialize noise-canceling 3D printing blocks. .

They are also considering improving the aesthetics of blocks so that they can seamlessly integrate into the existing architecture of a building.