Design and application of functional absorbers

This paper gives an overview of the research at Institute of Acoustics, Tongji University, on functional absorbers and experience acquired in practical applications over the past three decades. Experiments and analysis of the absorption characteristics of three different geometrical forms of functional absorbers, i.e., panels, cubes and tubes, were conducted with different arrangements. The resulting esthetical effects are illustrated with pictures. Several non-fiber materials are used to compose functional absorbers with advantages both in acoustic properties and in architectural features. Cost effectiveness analysis is also given in order to provide design guidelines.