Wall Of Silence

Acoustic cloaking? Sonic crystals? Have I unwittingly staggered across some new age musical therapy? The kind that involves mantras and chakras, auras and a heavy dose of unreserved middle class self-indulgence?

Actually no, these techie terms bear no reference to spiritually inspired incantations per se, but they could one day protect your home – and your eardrums – from the impact of thumping baselines, jangling guitars, and any other outside aural annoyances …drills, 747s, rumbling trucks, mating foxes masquerading as bawling babies (believe me, it happens)…

So how’s that then?

The term “acoustic cloaking” is the action of diverting sound waves around an object. The sonic crystals are a man-made material that will do said cloaking, and Dr Torrent and Dr Sanchez-Dehesa are the two Spanish boffins who have figured out just how to make it all work.

Following some “very encouraging” tests it would appear that all you need is 200 or so layers of the stuff and waves of sound will part around you like the Red Sea did for Moses.

Obviously, it’s not all that straightforward and there’s a long way to go before these sonic crystals are tested, re-tested, patented and packaged into a mass-market goldmine, but the potential for such sound-proofing material is enormous.

I’m thinking, never again will drum n bass invade my peaceful domain at 3am from the converted flat above.

The military, however, are thinking more along the lines of stealth warships than noisy neighbours. Go figure.

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