Most membrane-type acoustic absorbers for low-frequency sound attenuation are applicable only at a fixed resonant frequency for a narrow bandwidth. Tuning of the acoustic absorption spectrum is desired to match the varying noises. This letter presents a micro-perforated dielectric elastomer actuator (MPDEA) to make a broader-band acoustic absorber electrically tunable. Voltage activation of the MPDEA reduces the membrane tension and hole size and thus enables the active shifting of the acoustic absorption spectrum. Such a membrane tuning method does not require discrete mechanical parts as for the cavity tuning method. Also presented are the analytical models to predict the voltage-induced hole size change and acoustic characteristics of MPDEA.

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A duct silencer with tunable acoustic characteristics is presented in this paper. Dielectric elastomer, a smart material with lightweight, high elastic energy density and large deformation under high direct current/alternating current voltages, was used to fabricate this duct silencer. The acoustic performances and tunable mechanisms of this duct silencer were experimentally investigated. It was found that all the resonance peaks of this duct silencer could be adjusted using external control signals without any additional mechanical part. The physics of the tunable mechanism is further discussed based on the electro-mechanical interactions using finite element analysis. The present promising results also provide insight into the appropriateness of the duct silencer for possible use as next generation acoustic treatment device to replace the traditional acoustic treatment.

Window glasses can block noise from outdoor, but they reverberate sound within a large indoor space. Microperforated glass absorbers have been developed to absorb sound over a fixed but narrow bandwidth. To tune the frequency spectrum of acoustic absorption, we developed a transparent tunable acoustic absorber based on microperforated dielectric elastomer actuator (MPDEA) and transparent compliant electrodes. Such transparent compliant electrodes were inkjet printed from Triton X-plasticized poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(styrene sulfonate) ink, which shows improved wettability on the acrylate dielectric elastomer substrate. These transparent polymeric electrodes are softer with uptake of moisture while being self-clearable and durable. A single layer of MPDEA using two inkjet-printed electrodes is 78.64% clear, but the clarity of a two-layer MPDEA decreases to 61.8%. Among the two designs, the two-layer MPDEA exhibits a broader acoustic absorption bandwidth of 444 Hz for absorbing more than 80% of the sound energy. Inactivated resonant frequency of this MPDEA is 1170 Hz, whereas the 6 kV activation can reduce the resonant frequency for 15.2% by causing 9% hole-diameter contraction. This transparent tunable acoustic absorber can be fitted to window glass; its acoustic performance is better than that of translucent curtains.