Method to Achieve Total Acoustic Transmission between Water and Air

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A plane wave is incident from the water side of the asymmetric panel. The plates are separated by ribs set a distance 𝑑 apart with the intermediate space assumed to be air.

Invention Summary:

Effective sound transmission between water and air is challenging due to the vastly different acoustic impedances. Current methods are limited as they rely on fluid layers or membranes to match the misaligned impedances.

Rutgers researchers have developed a novel method for the seamless transmission between water and air. Two thin elastic plates, supported by periodically spaced ribs are used to achieve total acoustic transmission from water to air. The model circumvents the use of fluid layers or membranes, opting instead for solid materials like aluminum, to facilitate impedance matching and ensure the transmission is nearly independent of the incidence angle.

Market Applications:

• Acoustic engineering
• Underwater-to-Air communication systems e.g. Inspection and monitoring of submerged infrastructure

• Sonar
• Environmental monitoring

Advantages:

• Fully solid-state: no fluids or membranes
• Angle-independent: Total transmission nearly independent of the angle of incidence
• Analytically designed: closed-form equations for precise tuning
• 100% passive - no electronics, no moving parts, no energy input

Publications:

•    https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2024.0461

Intellectual Property & Development Status: Provisional application filed. Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships, contact:  marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu