Laser textured superhydrophobic overlay cavity structure as an acoustic metasurface with enhanced underwater sound insulation performance

Underwater acoustic metasurface is rising in recent years for its capability of low-frequency acoustic blocking and isolating underwater acoustic signals. Inspired by the superhydrophobic systems in nature, a laser textured superhydrophobic cavity structure acoustic metasurface is proposed for enhancing the underwater sound insulation performance. Two laser texturing prepared overlay and substrate aluminum alloy plates are seamlessly bonded together to form the laser textured overlay cavity structured acoustic surface (LTOCS). The acoustic characteristics testing results showed excellent sound insulation effect of the LTOCS in the designed response frequency range (50-60 kHz). The underwater sound transmission coefficient is reduced by up to 81%. This study provides a technical scheme for effective control of underwater low-frequency acoustic waves which can be used to suppress underwater noise propagation, acoustic stealth, underwater detection, etc. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The laser textured superhydrophobic cavity structure acoustic metasurface demonstrates excellent sound insulation performance underwater, providing an effective solution for controlling low-frequency acoustic waves and applications such as suppressing underwater noise propagation, acoustic stealth, and underwater detection.