Architected acoustic metamaterials: An integrated design perspective

The review focuses on architected acoustic metamaterials to manipulate airborne sound waves, with only limited discussions on elastic metamaterials related to solid media. We review the design of acoustic metamaterials and the physical mechanisms underpinning their performance and related manufacturing methodologies, while also examining potential issues and challenges affecting the use of metamaterials in acoustics. The complexities of several metamaterial architectures are discussed. A new classification system is proposed to distinguish metamaterial configurations based on the typology of the channels inside the acoustic meta-atom. Several types of acoustic metamaterials architectures, such as perforated and micro-perforated panels, acoustic foams, resonators, various geometrical paths, and piezoelectric patches, are also discussed. The fundamental acoustic mechanisms of these classes of metamaterials are identified and commented on. The paper also describes the main measurement techniques used for acoustic metamaterials and the physical quantities evaluated, providing a guide to characterize and assess their performance. The fundamental challenges of the current metamaterials designs are discussed, with a focus on the complex synergy between architectural patterns of acoustic metamaterials and their thickness. We clarify the distinction between acoustic and elastic metamaterials, emphasizing the design and applications of materials that manipulate sound waves in fluid media. The paper also offers further comments about the need for practical design tools to allow the use of acoustic metamaterials in real-world applications.