Noise protection – multifunctional and aesthetical

As noise abatement grows in importance, the demand for better acoustic building components raises. Scientists are developing new solutions -  aesthetically good looking and flexibly applicable microperforated sound absorbers.

Too much noise causes illness. This is as an undisputed fact nowadays, and yet we're still constantly assailed by noise as we go about our daily lives, be it from traffic or voices in large open-plan offices.

Noise pollution can be reduced with the help of structural solutions; we've all seen noise barriers along busy roads and train lines, and there are special acoustic structural components, so-called sound absorbers, which are used inside buildings to keep noise levels down. But there's a problem - the construction components used up until now may well be effective at reducing noise, but they are not often very functional. Architects who incorporate soundproofing measures into their designs often complain about the inflexibility of modern materials.

Limiting factors that affect the choice of material include weight, fire resistance or the hygienic requirements involved when designing large-scale kitchens or laboratories. After all there's also an aesthetic aspect; hardly anyone would say that a solid concrete wall along a road was attractive.

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) are working on new solutions.

''One of the main things we are focusing on developing is microperforated construction components. This technology is suitable for all types of material and enables the production of multi-functional, visually appealing sound absorbers that can be used for a flexible range of applications,'' explains Prof. Dr. Philip Leistner, acting institute director and head of the acoustics department at the IBP.