Gene-Modified Acoustic Metamaterials Boost Sound Reduction in Transportation Buildings

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University have developed a gene-modified acoustic metamaterial to enhance the noise reduction capability of sound barriers in transportation buildings. The study, published in the Journal of Building Engineering, indicates that the new material can reduce ambient traffic noise by 7.3 decibels. The research, supported by the China Academy of Railway Sciences Co., Ltd. and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, aims to improve urban traffic noise and enhance indoor living environments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gene-modified acoustic metamaterial shows a significant improvement in sound absorption coefficient, with values above 0.85 in the range of 800Hz-8kHz.
  • The material experiences a notable boost in low and medium acoustic frequency ranges compared to existing sound barriers.
  • The impedance-matching effect is crucial in achieving near-perfect sound absorption, as stated in the research findings.
  • The sound insulation performance of the new material can reach higher than 30.0 dB at frequencies above 200 Hz, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing noise pollution.
  • Experiments conducted by the researchers have demonstrated the successful installation of the metamaterial sound barriers (MSBs) in transportation buildings.
  • TheMSBs reduced ambient traffic noise by 7.3 dB, meeting the desired noise reduction target.
  • The research is expected to provide new technical support for reducing urban traffic noise and improving indoor living environments.
  • Funding for the research was provided by the China Academy of Railway Sciences Co., Ltd. and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

Statistics:

  • The sound absorption coefficient of the metamaterial sound barrier (MSB) is more than 0.85 in the range of 800Hz-8kHz.
  • The sound insulation performance of the new material can reach higher than 30.0 dB at frequencies above 200 Hz.
  • The trauma noise reduction is 7.3 dB.
  • The range of test frequency is 800Hz-8kHz.

Sources:

  • VerticalNews. Current study results on Engineering have been published. October 13, 2025.
  • Journal of Building Engineering. "Gene-modified Acoustic Metamaterials for Improving the Low-frequency Broadband Noise Reduction Performance of Sound Barriers for Transportation Buildings." 2025;111.
  • Southwest Jiaotong University. Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Caiyou Zhao, School of Civil Engineering, Chengdu 610031, People's Republic of China.
  • NewsRx LLC. New Engineering Study Findings Have Been Reported by Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University (Gene-modified Acoustic Metamaterials for Improving the Low-frequency Broadband Noise Reduction Performance of Sound Barriers for Transportation ...). Journal of Engineering. October 13, 2025; p 1793.