Owl’s silent flight inspires material that tames harsh engine sounds

Researchers at China’s Tiangong University have developed a novel two-layer aerogel inspired by the silent flight of owls, which naturally dampen sound through their specialized feathers and soft skin. This new material mimics owl feathers’ serrated edges and skin’s porous structure to absorb a broad range of sound frequencies, achieving a 58% reduction in noise. Unlike traditional felt fiber soundproofing that typically targets either high- or low-frequency sounds, this lightweight aerogel effectively reduces both, making it superior for noise control applications. The aerogel’s bottom layer features a honeycomb pattern that cancels low-frequency noise, while the top layer consists of silicon nanofibers that dampen high-frequency sounds. In practical tests, it reduced automobile engine noise from 87.5 decibels to 78.6 decibels, outperforming many existing commercial noise absorbers. Additionally, the material is durable, maintaining its structure after repeated compression cycles. This innovation holds promise for reducing noise pollution