Moth wings inspire new ultra-light soundproofing materials
University of Bristol researchers study moth wings for potential applications
The wings of moths could provide the inspiration for thinner and lighter soundproofing materials, researchers say.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have studied microscopic structures found on moth wings which allow some species to absorb sound and avoid detection by bats.
The technology could be used to deliver sound absorption performance while being up to 10 times thinner than conventional materials.
Potential applications include construction, transport, aerospace and manufacturing.
To evade bats using echolocation, some moth species evolved specialised scales and structures on their wings capable of absorbing sound waves and reducing acoustic reflections – effectively acting as an acoustic camouflage.
Researchers at the university have adapted these biological principles to engineer materials capable of absorbing sound while remaining significantly thinner and lighter than many conventional alternatives.
It is hoped the technology could also help tackle noise pollution as existing soundproofing materials are often bulky, heavy, and resource-intensive.
Attacus Acoustics has been established to take the technology from the laboratory into production.
The research is being led by Professor Marc Holderied who has had an interest in moths since he was a PhD student.
“I remember being struck by how fluffy this moth was and it made me wonder whether its wing structures were doing something much more sophisticated than we understood at the time,” he said.
“That chance encounter ultimately set me on a journey that led to an entirely new way of thinking about sound absorption.
“Nature has spent millions of years refining solutions to incredibly complex problems, and moths are masters of acoustic stealth.
“What is exciting is that we are now able to translate those biological principles into engineered materials that could have a real impact across many industries and improve people’s everyday lives.”
Dr Akash Gupta, chief executive of Attacus Acoustics, added: “Industries around the world are needing to think more about noise control and looking for solutions that are lighter, thinner, more sustainable, and high performing.
“We are now focused on scaling our technology and collaborating with commercial partners to bring these materials into real-world applications.”
The company is already in discussions with aerospace manufacturers, where reducing cabin noise while minimising aircraft weight remains a major engineering challenge.