Algal biofoams for acoustic absorption
Biodegradable, self-extinguishing foams made from algae for broadband sound absorption.
Conventional acoustic foams are petroleum-based, flammable, and destined for landfill. In collaboration with the Roumeli Lab at UW Materials Science & Engineering, this project develops biodegradable, self-extinguishing foams made from ulva (sea lettuce) and other algal biomatter for broadband acoustic absorption — including hybrid systems that combine biofoams with Helmholtz resonator arrays. The work is supported by a UW Population Health Initiative Climate Change grant.
Collaborators
- Eleftheria Roumeli — UW Materials Science & Engineering
- Hareesh Iyer, Mohammad Tabatabaei Manesh — UW