Silencing the City: EMPA’s Breakthrough Ultra-Thin Acoustic Foam

EMPA acoustic foam

In the heart of urban noise, a revolution is brewing from Switzerland. Engineers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a new kind of sound-absorbing material—one that is remarkably thin, robust, and adaptable, yet powerful enough to quiet the persistent roar of the city.

A Thinner Way to Silence

Traditional acoustic materials like rock wool and fiberglass require significant thickness to be effective—often taking up precious real estate in buildings. EMPA’s new innovation is a mineral-based foam that is up to 75% thinner than conventional solutions, yet delivers similar sound attenuation performance. Its secret lies in its multilayer structure, which can be fine-tuned to target specific frequency ranges by altering the size of its internal pores.

How It Works

According to EMPA researcher Bart Van Damme, the foam’s effectiveness stems from the way it manipulates sound waves. “The varying pore structure of the mineral foams forces air particles to take a longer route to get into the material and out again,” he explains. This extended pathway mimics the absorption characteristics of thicker materials while maintaining a slim profile—ideal for compact applications like stairwells, classrooms, or narrow corridors.

Real-World Testing

To put their invention to the test, the researchers installed 72 panels—each just 2.1 inches thick—along a driveway in Zurich that opens onto a busy street. The results were impressive: the material reduced traffic noise by approximately 4 decibels, significantly improving the soundscape of the surrounding area. The material proved especially effective at dampening the roar of vehicles entering or exiting the site.

Tunable, Weatherproof, and Fire-Safe

Not only is the foam sound-absorbing, but it’s also weatherproof, fireproof, and fully recyclable. Its perforation pattern and layer design can be customized to adapt its acoustic properties, making it useful for both indoor and outdoor spaces—offering design flexibility for architects and engineers alike.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its promise, the EMPA team acknowledges some limitations. The foam isn’t as effective at absorbing high frequencies compared to traditional rock wool, and its production is still largely manual—particularly the perforation phase. However, a collaboration with Swiss material firm De Cavis is already underway to automate manufacturing and scale the material for commercial deployment.

Future Implications

The development of this mineral foam could mark a significant leap in sustainable building technologies. By allowing thinner walls, improving indoor comfort, and reducing urban noise pollution, it aligns perfectly with smart city initiatives and eco-conscious architecture. It also represents another milestone in the intersection of materials science, acoustics, and environmental design.

For more details, read the original article here: https://newatlas.com/materials/sound-blocking-material-foam-thin-empa/

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#AcousticMaterials #NoiseReduction #SmartCity #MaterialsScience #GreenArchitecture #MineralFoam #SoundInsulation #EMPA #QuantumServerNetworks #PWmat

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