Novel windows promise quietude

A team from NUS Engineering has developed an innovative sonic crystal window design which mitigates noise while allowing for natural daylight and ventilation.

Sonic crystals, typically used as noise barriers, are periodic structures which form “band gaps” and prevent waves of certain frequencies from travelling through. The size of the gaps affect the frequency that is eliminated.

The team, led by Associate Professor Lee Heow Pueh from NUS Mechanical Engineering, tested its prototype at Eusoff Hall and found that the sonic crystal windows reduced traffic and construction noise — which have frequencies ranging from 700Hz to 1,400Hz — by half. Furthermore, adding a jagged edge to each individual pane of a normal louver window resulted in an additional 1dB reduction in noise.  

The three-year research study began in December 2014 as one of the first few projects supported under the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge, led by the Ministry of National Development and National Research Foundation.

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