Acoustic solutions made from natural fibres can reduce buildings' carbon footprints

摘要

IN HIS research, Cucharero modelled the effect of acoustic solutions on the soundscape of three different spaces. One example of the effects of acoustics based on cellulose fibres is the Mare Tranquillitatis artwork created by the artist group IC-98 on the Aalto University campus. Good acoustics in the workspace improve work efficiency and productivity, which is one of the reasons why acoustic materials matter. The acoustic insulation market is already expected to hit 15 billion USD by 2022 as construction firms and industry pay more attention to sound environments. Researchers at Aalto University, in collaboration with Finnish acoustics company Lumir, have now studied how these common elements around us could become more eco-friendly, with the help of cellulose fibres. 'Models for acoustic absorption are based on tests done with synthetic fibres, and natural fibres don't adhere to these models. With natural fibres like cellulose, we can use thinner structures to achieve the same sound absorption as synthetic fibres,' says Jose Cucharero, a doctoral student at Aalto University.