Gyroid Phononic Crystal Structure for Surface Acoustic Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies have not fully explored the potential of gyroid-structured materials for topological wave physics phenomena in the context of acoustics and elastic waves, and there is a lack of practical, continuous material platforms that effectively confine acoustic energy to surfaces while preventing propagation through the interior.
Innovation Solution
The development of acoustic materials based on three-dimensional gyroid geometry, which utilize a triply periodic minimal surface with nonsymmorphic symmetry to create phononic crystals that confine acoustic energy on surfaces, featuring topological surface modes and directional wave propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acoustic materials are used, then acoustic energy can propagate through the material, but soundproofing and noise control effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining gyroid-based phononic crystal materials with specific geometric configurations to achieve superior acoustic confinement. The triply periodic minimal surface geometry creates a composite-like behavior that confines acoustic energy to surface states while blocking bulk propagation, resolving the contradiction between soundproofing effectiveness and energy confinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The gyroid structure exhibits local quality variations through its chiral geometry and nonsymmorphic symmetry, creating regions with different acoustic properties. The surface regions support topological surface modes while the bulk regions maintain acoustic insulation, allowing the material to simultaneously achieve soundproofing and energy confinement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If acoustic materials allow sound propagation through interior, then sensing and filtering capabilities are limited, but surface acoustic wave confinement is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions acoustic wave propagation from three-dimensional bulk propagation to two-dimensional surface confinement. The gyroid structure's unique topology creates topological surface states that confine acoustic energy to the material surface, enabling new sensing and filtering applications while controlling the propagation path geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The chiral nature of the single gyroid structure with its nonsymmorphic symmetry creates asymmetric acoustic properties for left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized waves. This asymmetry enables polarization-sensitive sensing and filtering capabilities while maintaining surface wave confinement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These materials exhibit robust surface modes that confine acoustic energy, enabling soundproofing, noise control, filtering, and sensing capabilities, with experimental demonstration of negative refraction and directional propagation.
Implementation Method 1
The gyroid structure supports topological surface modes for a broad frequency range with a relative bandwidth up to 45% (and higher).
Implementation Method 2
The present embodiments include acoustic materials created from three-dimensional (3D) blocks whose shape is based on the single gyroid geometry.
Implementation Method 3
The surface arcs give rise to negative refraction of surface modes propagating across edges of the 3D material.
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic device includes a three-dimensional phononic crystal having cubic symmetry. The phononic crystal includes a first region filled with a first material and a second region filled with a solid material that is different from the first material. The second region is the solid complement of the first region. A boundary between the first and second regions is shaped as a single gyroid surface that has constant mean curvature and is not pinched off. The volume of the second region is greater than or equal to that of the first region. The first material may be a gas, such as air, or a fluid. The phononic crystal supports topological surface states, has a band structure with at least one degenerate point protected by nonsymmorphic symmetry, and exhibits negative refraction where two of its external surfaces meet.