Aerogel Acoustic Treatment for Building Applications

Aerogel has the potential to provide exceptional acoustic insulation through its unique nanoscale porous structure, which can scatter and absorb sound waves effectively, converting acoustic energy into heat. Aerogels attenuate sound by dissipating the energy of acoustic waves as they interact between the gas and solid phases within their porous structure. This interaction decreases the wave's intensity and speed, effectively promoting faster dissipation, which makes aerogels suitable for use in acoustic insulation. Customizable properties, such as aerogel thickness, enhance performance at different frequency ranges, enabling targeted sound absorption. Additionally, aerogels offer dual functionality by combining thermal and acoustic insulation, reducing the need for multiple layers of materials. These characteristics position aerogels as a sustainable and high-performing alternative to traditional acoustic materials like fiberglass and mineral wool.

The goal of this project is to develop and validate an innovative aerogel-based acoustic solution that integrates exceptional sound absorption for building applications. 

Project Team

Noise pollution and the need for acoustic treatments

Noise pollution poses significant risks to public health, including hearing loss, stress, and cardiovascular issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established guidelines and acoustic standards to minimize adverse health effects [1]. Further, other building standards, such as LEED and WELL Building Standards emphasize acoustics as a critical aspect of creating healthy and comfortable indoor environments. LEED v4 awards credits under the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) category for measures such as optimizing acoustic performance and sound isolation to enhance occupant productivity and satisfaction [2]. The WELL Building Standard, under the Comfort concept, includes specific requirements for noise reduction to support health, well-being, and mental focus [3].

Acoustic treatments for sound absorption and insulation offer a solution for meeting the acoustic building codes and emerging sustainability and well-being standards to protect the health and well-being of the space occupants. 

Current Solutions

Current acoustic materials such as fiberglass provide sound absorption but often fall short due to significant challenges that limit their desirability in modern applications. Fiberglass poses health risks during handling and overtime, as airborne particles can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues [4]. Environmentally, fiberglass is non-sustainable, energy-intensive to produce, and difficult to recycle, contributing to landfill waste [5]. Its performance is limited, and achieving effective results often requires thick layers, making it unsuitable for space-constrained designs. Additionally, its unattractive appearance necessitates additional treatments, and its lack of versatility in shape integration hinders its use in complex architectural designs. These issues, coupled with increasing demand for sustainable and high-performing materials, create an urgent need for alternative solutions that apply emerging technologies.

What would our aerogel technology offer?

Aerogel has the potential for high sound absorption coefficients across a wide frequency range due to its low-density and mesoporous structure [6]. It can be customized to adjust the acoustic performance to target specific frequency bands. Further, it requires less thickness to achieve similar or better acoustic performance with more environmentally friendly processes and materials compared to traditional materials. It is also lightweight and versatile, facilitating easy integration into various architectural applications [7]. Moreover, aerogel is currently used for thermal insulation; thus, testing and enhancing the acoustic performance of aerogel to be integrated with thermal insulation for exterior walls and windows will be cost-effective. By demonstrating the acoustic, environmental, and cost of aerogel, we expect broad adoption in sustainable and urban development projects. The material’s ease of integration into existing designs and construction practices will make it an attractive option for both new builds and retrofits.

Integrating high-performance, multi-functional materials like aerogels could tap into segments such as residential buildings, commercial spaces, and industrial facilities. Key stakeholders include architects, construction firms, acoustic insulation manufacturers, and building owners, all of whom will benefit from a high-performance material that offers both acoustic and thermal insulation.

Aerogel will provide:

1. Architects with enhanced flexibility in design without compromising on performance.

2. Owners with a sustainable, cost-effective acoustic solution that allows them to reach acoustic standards.

3. Occupants with improved indoor comfort and reduced noise pollution.