Metamaterials are paving the way for innovative solutions to tackle noise pollution in marine ecosystems. The POSEIDON project, funded by the European Research Council through a Starting Grant, is at the forefront of developing unconventional principles of underwater wave control in the sub-wavelength regime.

The Power of Mechanical Metamaterials

The heart of the study lies in the creation of mechanical metamaterials – composite materials with unique quasi-static and dynamic properties. These materials have the ability to control deformation and wave propagation, whether elastic or acoustic, in underwater environments. The ultimate goal is to improve existing technologies for reducing underwater noise pollution, a growing concern due to human activities like offshore wind farms, wave energy harvesting, and subsea mineral extraction.

Challenges of Underwater Noise Pollution

Current solutions often fall short, especially at low frequencies. Underwater sound propagation presents unique challenges, with longer wavelengths and comparable densities between water and solid materials used for barriers. Conventional thick barriers can be invasive to the environment.

The Role of Metamaterials

Metamaterials offer a novel approach to address these challenges. Their unconventional properties are not based on chemical composition but on geometric structure, allowing for controlled deformation, wave damping, and other counterintuitive behaviors. These materials can significantly reduce soundproofing barrier thickness while maintaining high performance levels.

Leading the Research

Professor Marco Miniaci is spearheading the research at Politecnico di Torino in Italy. The project has expanded with the launch of the DREAM project, focusing on resilient engineered architectured metamaterials. This new initiative aims to extend the success achieved in underwater noise control to fields like seismology and energy harvesting.

With Miniaci at the helm of both the POSEIDON and DREAM projects, the future looks promising for innovative metamaterial solutions to combat noise pollution and enhance various strategic applications.