Nonlinear wave propagation in acoustic metamaterials with bilinear nonlinearity

Nonlinear phononic crystals have attracted great interest because of their unique properties absent in linear phononic crystals.However,few researches have considered the bilinear nonlinearity as well as its consequences in acoustic metamaterials.Hence,we introduce bilinear nonlinearity into acoustic metamaterials,and investigate the propagation behaviors of the fundamental and the second harmonic waves in the nonlinear acoustic metamaterials by discretization method,revealing the influence of the system parameters.Furthermore,we investigate the influence of partially periodic nonlinear acoustic metamaterials on the second harmonic wave propagation,and the results suggest that pass-band and band-gap can be transformed into each other under certain conditions.Our findings could be beneficial to the band gap control in nonlinear acoustic metamaterials.

Controlling flexural waves in thin plates by using transformation acoustic metamaterials

In this study, we design periodic grille structures on a single homogenous thin plate to achieve anisotropic acoustic metamaterials that can control flexural waves. The metamaterials can achieve the bending control of flexural waves in a thin plate at will by designing only one dimension in the thickness direction, which makes it easier to use this metamaterial to design transformation acoustic devices. The numerical simulation results show that the metamaterials can accurately control the bending waves over a wide frequency range. The experimental results verify the validity of the theoretical analysis. This research provides a more practical theoretical method of controlling flexural waves in thin-plate structures.

Acoustic scattering from a submerged cylindrical shell coated with locally resonant acoustic metamaterials

Using the multilayered cylinder model, we study acoustic scattering from a submerged cylindrical shell coated with locally resonant acoustic metamaterials, which exhibit locally negative effective mass densities. A spring model is introduced to replace the traditional transfer matrix, which may be singular in the negative mass region. The backscattering form function and the scattering cross section are calculated to discuss the acoustic properties of the coated submerged cylindrical shell.

Perspective:Acoustic Metamaterials in Future Engineering

Acoustic metamaterials(AMMs)are a type of artificial materials that make use of appropriate structural designs and exhibit exotic properties not found in natural materials,such as negative effective material parameters(e.g.,bulk modulus,mass density,and refractive index).These interesting properties offer novel means for sound manipulation and thus have drawn a great deal of attention.Over the past two decades,tremendous progress has been made in the fundamental research of AMMs,which has not only promoted the development of modern acoustics but also shown the potential of AMMs for engineering applications.Here,we review recent developments in AMMs with a focus on their future engineering,especially in the most promising fields of sound absorption/isolation,acoustic imaging,cloaking,and so on,furthermore,we outline the opportunities and challenges they are encountering.

Various topological phases and their abnormal effects of topological acoustic metamaterials

The last 20 years have witnessed growing impacts of the topological concept on the branches of physics,including materials,electronics,photonics,and acoustics.Topology describes objects with some global invariant property under continuous deformation,which in mathematics could date back to the 17th century and mature in the 20th century.In physics,it successfully underpinned the physics of the Quantum Hall effect in 1984.To date,topology has been extensively applied to describe topological phases in acoustic metamaterials.As artificial structures,acoustic metamaterials could be well theoretically analyzed,on-demand designed,and easily fabricated by modern techniques,such as three-dimensional printing.Some new theoretical topological models were first discovered in acoustic metamaterials analogous to electronic counterparts,associated with novel effects for acoustics closer to applications.In this review,we focused on the concept of topology and its realization in airborne acoustic crystals,solid elastic phononic crystals,and surface acoustic wave systems.We also introduced emerging concepts of non-Hermitian,higher-order,and Floquet topological insulators in acoustics.It has been shown that the topology theory has such a powerful generality that among the disciplines from electron to photon and phonon,from electronic to photonics and acoustics,from acoustic topological theory to acoustic devices,could interact and be analogous to fertilize fantastic new ideas and prototype devices,which might find applications in acoustic engineering and noisevibration control engineering in the near future.

Theory of complex-coordinate transformation acoustics for non-Hermitian metamaterials

Transformation acoustics(TA)has emerged as a powerful tool for designing several intriguing conceptual devices,which can manipulate acoustic waves in a flexible manner,yet their applications are limited in Hermitian materials.In this work,we propose the theory of complex-coordinate transformation acoustics(CCTA)and verify the effectiveness in realizing acoustic non-Hermitian metamaterials.Especially,we apply this theory for the first time to the design of acoustic parity-time(PT)and antisymmetric parity-time(APT)metamaterials and demonstrate two distinctive examples.First,we use this method to obtain the exceptional points(EPs)of the PT/APT system and observe the spontaneous phase transition of the scattering matrix in the transformation parameter space.Second,by selecting the Jacobian matrix's constitutive parameters,the PT/APT-symmetric system can also be configured to approach the zero and pole of the scattering matrix,behaving as an acoustic coherent perfect absorber and equivalent laser.We envision our proposed CCTAbased paradigm to open the way for exploring the non-Hermitian physics and finding application in the design of acoustic functional devices such as absorbers and amplifiers whose material parameters are hard to realize by using the conventional transformation method.

Superbroad-band actively tunable acoustic metamaterials driven from poly(ethylene terephthalate)/carbon nanotube nanocomposite membranes

Actively tunable acoustic metamaterials have attracted ever increasing attention.However,their tunable frequency range is quite narrow(tens of Hz)even under ultrahigh applied voltage(about 1,000 V).Here,we report a superbroad-band actively tunable acoustic metamaterials with the bandwidth over 400 Hz under a low voltage.In the actively tunable acoustic metamaterials,the acoustic membrane is a laminated nanocomposite consisting of a poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET)and super-aligned carbon nanotube(CNT)drawn from CN T forest array.The laminated nanocomposite membrane exhibits adjustable acoustic properties,whose modulus can be adjusted by applying external electric field.The maximum frequency bandwidth of PET/CN T nanocomposite membrane reaches 419 Hz when applying an external DC voltage of 60 V.Our actively tunable acoustic metamaterials with superbroad-band and lightweight show very promising foreground in noise reduction applications.

Ultra-broadband acoustic ventilation barrier based on multi-cavity resonators

The numerical simulations and experimental results of an ultra-broadband acoustic ventilation barrier composed of periodic unit cells are reported in this paper.Based on multiple mechanisms,including sound absorption by eigenmodes of the unit cell and sound reflection by a plate structure on upper surface of the unit cell,a single-layer ventilation barrier with broadband sound reduction is designed,and its working bandwidth can reach about 1560 Hz.The experimental results accord well with the simulation results.Furthermore,two types of three-layer ventilation barriers are designed and demonstrated by using the unit cells with different values of a(the length of the hollow square region)and w(the width of the channel between the adjacent cavities),and the bandwidths of both ventilation barriers can increase to 3160 Hz and 3230 Hz,respectively.The designed barrier structures have the advantages of ultra-broadband sound reduction and ventilation,which paves the way to designing high-performance ventilation barriers for the applications in environmental protection and architectural acoustics.

Active Truss Metamaterials: Modelling and Tuning of Band Gaps

Periodic composite structures, like acoustic metamaterials (AMMs) and phononic crystals (PCs), are able to prevent the propagation of sound and elastic waves for some specific frequency ranges, leading to the emergence of so-called band gaps. So far, the optimization of the metamaterial properties and therefore of the band gaps has been typically performed on passive PCs and AMMs. Hence, the band gap properties cannot be tuned anymore after the production process of the metamaterials;this problem can be overcome thanks to the use of active materials. In this work, material and geometric nonlinearities are exploited to actively tune the frequency ranges of the band gaps of an architected AMM characterized by a three-dimensional periodicity. Specifically, a hyperelastic piezoelectric composite, that can be obtained by embedding piezo nanoparticles in a soft polymeric matrix, is considered to assess the effects of the nonlinearities on the behavior of sculptured microstructures, taking advantage of instability-induced pattern transformation and piezoelectricity to actively tune the band gaps. .

Active Truss Metamaterials: Modelling and Tuning of Band Gaps

Periodic composite structures, like acoustic metamaterials (AMMs) and phononic crystals (PCs), are able to prevent the propagation of sound and elastic waves for some specific frequency ranges, leading to the emergence of so-called band gaps. So far, the optimization of the metamaterial properties and therefore of the band gaps has been typically performed on passive PCs and AMMs. Hence, the band gap properties cannot be tuned anymore after the production process of the metamaterials;this problem can be overcome thanks to the use of active materials. In this work, material and geometric nonlinearities are exploited to actively tune the frequency ranges of the band gaps of an architected AMM characterized by a three-dimensional periodicity. Specifically, a hyperelastic piezoelectric composite, that can be obtained by embedding piezo nanoparticles in a soft polymeric matrix, is considered to assess the effects of the nonlinearities on the behavior of sculptured microstructures, taking advantage of instability-induced pattern transformation and piezoelectricity to actively tune the band gaps. .

3D Printed Ultra-thin Acoustic Metamaterials with Adaptable Low-frequency Absorption Performance

The inherent absorption frequency of traditional sound absorbers makes it difficult to solve the problem of acoustic wave removal in a changeable acoustic environment.In this study,acoustic absorption metamaterials(AAMs)with adaptable sound absorption performance were innovatively designed using the structural combination concept and fabricated via 3D printing.Accordingly,two coiled-up channels were combined in a single cell,which could effectively broaden the absorption bandwidth in a limited space.The longitudinal movement of the coiled-up channels endowed the tunable entire depth and internal cavity of the AAMs;thus,the sound absorption performance could be tailored accordingly.Through computational analysis and experimental verification,it was demonstrated that the depth of the AAM could be adjusted from 10 mm to 20 mm,and the corresponding absorption frequencies of the two channels ranged from 206 Hz to 179 Hz and 379 Hz to 298 Hz,respectively.In addition,the finite element results also indicate that the sound absorption bandwidth of AAMs could be further improved by the periodic arrangement of the units.This work opens a promising structural design approach for presenting a route toward acoustic devices with adaptable absorption performances.

Unidirectional acoustic metamaterials based on nonadiabatic holonomic quantum transformations

Nonadiabatic holonomic quantum transformations(NHQTs)have attracted wide attention and have been applied in many aspects of quantum computation,whereas related research is usually limited to the field of quantum physics.Here we bring NHQTs into constructing a unidirectional acoustic metamaterial(UDAM)for shaping classical beams.The UDAM is made up of an array of three-waveguide couplers,where the propagation of acoustic waves mimics the evolution of NHQTs.The excellent agreement among analytical predictions,numerical simulations,and experimental measurements confirms the great applicability of NHQTs in acoustic metamaterial engineering.The present work extends research on NHQTs from quantum physics to the field of classical waves for designing metamaterials with simple structures and may pave a new way to design UDAMs that would be of potential applications in acoustic isolation,communication,and stealth.

Controlling acoustic orbital angular momentum with artificial structures:From physics to application

Acoustic orbital angular momentum(OAM)associated with helicoidal wavefront recently attracts rapidly-growing attentions,offering a new degree of freedom for acoustic manipulation.Due to the unique dynamical behavior and inherent mode orthogonality of acoustic OAM,its harnessing is of fundamental interests for wave physics,with great potential in a plethora of applications.The recent advance in materials physics further boosts efforts into controlling OAM-carrying acoustic vortices,especially acoustic metasurfaces with planar profile and subwavelength thickness.Thanks to their un-conventional acoustic properties beyond attainable in the nature,acoustic artificial structures provide a powerful platform for new research paradigm for efficient generation and diverse manipulation of OAM in ways not possible before,enabling novel applications in diverse scenarios ranging from underwater communication to object manipulation.In this article,we present a comprehensive view of this emerging field by delineating the fundamental physics of OAM-metasurface interac-tion and recent advances in the generation,manipulation,and application of acoustic OAM based on artificial structures,followed by an outlook for promising future directions and potential practical applications.

Propagation of acoustic waves in a fluid-filled pipe with periodic elastic Helmholtz resonators

Helmholtz resonators are widely used to reduce noise in a fluid-filled pipe system. It is a challenge to obtain lowfrequency and broadband attenuation with a small sized cavity. In this paper, the propagation of acoustic waves in a fluid-filled pipe system with periodic elastic Helmholtz resonators is studied theoretically. The resonance frequency and sound transmission loss of one unit are analyzed to validate the correctness of simplified acoustic impedance. The band structure of infinite periodic cells and sound transmission loss of finite periodic cells are calculated by the transfer matrix method and finite element software. The effects of several parameters on band gap and sound transmission loss are probed.Further, the negative bulk modulus of periodic cells with elastic Helmholtz resonators is analyzed. Numerical results show that the acoustic propagation properties in the periodic pipe, such as low frequency, broadband sound transmission, can be improved.

Low frequency acoustic properties of bilayer membrane acoustic metamaterial with magnetic oscillator

A bilayer membrane acoustic metamaterial was proposed to overcome the influence of the mass law on traditional acoustic materials and obtain a lightweight thin-layer structure that can effectively isolate low frequency noise. The finite element analysis（FEA） results agree well with the experimental results.It is proved that the sound transmission losses（STLs） of the proposed structures are higher than those of same surface density acoustic materials. The introduction of the magnetic mass block is different from the traditional design method, in which only a passive mass block is fixed on the membrane. The magnetic force will cause tension in the membrane, increase membrane prestress, and improve overall structural stiffness. The effects of the geometry size on the STLs are discussed in detail. The kind of method presented in this paper can provide a new means for engineering noise control.

Broadband low-frequency acoustic absorber based on metaporous composite

Broadband absorption of low-frequency sound waves via a deep subwavelength structure is of great and ongoing interest in research and engineering.Here,we numerically and experimentally present a design of a broadband lowfrequency absorber based on an acoustic metaporous composite(AMC).The AMC absorber is constructed by embedding a single metamaterial resonator into a porous layer.The finite element simulations show that a high absorption(absorptance A>0.8)can be achieved within a broad frequency range(from 290 Hz to 1074 Hz),while the thickness of AMC is 1/13of the corresponding wavelength at 290 Hz.The broadband and high-efficiency performances of the absorber are attributed to the coupling between the two resonant absorptions and the trapped mode.The numerical simulations and experimental results are obtained to be in good agreement with each other.Moreover,the high broadband absorption can be maintained under random incident acoustic waves.The proposed absorber provides potential applications in low-frequency noise reduction especially when limited space is demanded.

Membrane-based acoustic metamaterial with near-zero refractive index

We investigate a one-dimensional acoustic metamaterial with a refractive index of near zero（RINZ） using an array of very thin elastic membranes located along a narrow waveguide pipe. The characteristics of the effective density, refractive index, and phase velocity of the metamaterial indicate that, at the resonant frequency fm, the metamaterial has zero mass density and a phase transmission that is nearly uniform. We present a mechanism for dramatic acoustic energy squeezing and anomalous acoustic transmission by connecting the metamaterial to a normal waveguide with a larger cross-section. It is shown that at a specific frequency f1, transmission enhancement and energy squeezing are achieved despite the strong geometrical mismatch between the metamaterial and the normal waveguide. Moreover, to confirm the energy transfer properties, the acoustic pressure distribution, acoustic wave reflection coefficient, and energy transmission coefficient are also calculated. These results prove that the RINZ metamaterial provides a new design method for acoustic energy squeezing,super coupling, wave front transformation, and acoustic wave filtering.

Meta-silencer with designable timbre

Timbre,as one of the essential elements of sound,plays an important role in determining sound properties,whereas its manipulation has been remaining challenging for passive mechanical systems due to the intrinsic dispersion nature of resonances.Here,we present a meta-silencer supporting intensive mode density as well as highly tunable intrinsic loss and offering a fresh pathway for designable timbre in broadband.Strong global coupling is induced by intensive mode density and delicately modulated with the guidance of the theoretical model,which efficiently suppresses the resonance dispersion and provides desirable frequency-selective wave-manipulation capacity for timbre tuning.As proof-of-concept demonstrations for our design concepts,we propose three meta-silencers with the designing targets of high-efficiency broadband sound attenuation,efficiency-controlled sound attenuation and designable timbre,respectively.The proposed meta-silencers all operate in a broadband frequency range from 500 to 3200 Hz and feature deep-subwavelength sizes around 50 mm.Our work opens up a fundamental avenue to manipulate the timbre with passive resonances-controlled acoustic metamaterials and may inspire the development of novel multifunctional devices in noise-control engineering,impedance engineering,and architectural acoustics.

The higher-order topological pumping explored in the 2D acoustic crystal

The topological pumping has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of topological phase transitions in various physical systems,which can be extended to uncover intriguing higher-order topological phases in the lower-dimensional system.Here,we propose a theoretical exploration of topological dipole pumping on an acoustic square superlattice by cyclically modulating intracell couplings,which shares the topological nature of an extended three-dimensional system with chiral hinge states.Using the multipole chiral numbers,we characterize the higher-order topological phases that arise during the evolution.The evolution of topological phase transitions is verified by numerical simulations and shows corner states are transferred across the bulk.Our findings can inspire the construction of chiral hinge states in artificial crystals,opening up new possibilities for the design of devices allowing the unidirectional propagation of sound.

High-efficiency unidirectional wavefront manipulation for broadband airborne sound with a planar device

In the past decade, one-way manipulation of sound has attracted rapidly growing attention with application potentials in a plethora of scenarios ranging from ultrasound imaging to noise control. Here we propose a design of a planar device capable of unidirectionally harnessing the transmitted wavefront for broadband airborne sound. Our mechanism is to use the broken spatial symmetry to give rise to different critical angles for plane waves incident along opposite directions.Along the positive direction, the incoming sound is allowed to pass with high efficiency and be arbitrarily molded into the desired shape while any reversed wave undergoes a total reflection. We analytically derive the working bandwidth and incident angle range, and present a practical implementation of our strategy. The performance of our proposed device is demonstrated both theoretically and numerically via distinct examples of production of broadband anomalous refraction,acoustic focusing and non-diffractive beams for forward transmitted wave while virtually blocking the reversed waves.Bearing advantages of simple design, planar profile, broad bandwidth and high efficiency, our design opens the possibility for novel one-way acoustic device and may have important impact on diverse applications in need of special control of airborne sound.