Abstract: A sound barrier and method of sound insulation are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, a sound barrier comprises a first, solid medium, such as a viscoelastic solid and a second medium, such as air. At least one of the two media forms a periodic array disposed in the other medium. The solid medium has a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave.

Abstract: A sound barrier comprises a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a porous medium other than a porous metal, the porous medium having a porosity of at least about 0.02, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium.

Abstract: A hearing protection process comprises (a) providing at least one hearing protection device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the hearing protection device between an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver in the form of a human ear.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound insulation device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the sound insulation device between an acoustic source area and an acoustic receiving area of a transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A sound barrier comprises a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a porous medium other than a porous metal, the porous medium having a porosity of at least about 0.02, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium.

Abstract: A sound barrier comprises a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium.

Abstract: A hearing protection process comprises (a) providing at least one hearing protection device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the hearing protection device between an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver in the form of a human ear.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound insulation device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the sound insulation device between an acoustic source area and an acoustic receiving area of a transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A sound barrier and method of sound insulation are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, a sound barrier comprises a first, solid medium, such as a viscoelastic solid and a second medium, such as air. At least one of the two media forms a periodic array disposed in the other medium. The solid medium has a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound barrier comprising a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the array comprising at least one row of at least two of the structures, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density that is greater than the first density, the second medium being a viscoelastic medium, an elastic medium, or a combination thereof, and the first medium being a gaseous medium; and (b) placing the at least one sound barrier in at least one at least partially enclosed gas stream in a manner such that the row of structures extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of flow of the gas stream.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound barrier comprising at least one composite resonator element; and (b) placing the at least one sound barrier in at least one gas stream that is at least partially enclosed.

Abstract: A sound barrier comprises a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium.