On the integration of acoustic phase-gradient metasurfaces in aeronautics

Metamaterials might be one of the breakthrough technologies needed from the aeronautic industry to achieve the more and more challenging targets set by the international authorities, especially about noise emissions. In this article, a theoretical link between Transformation Acoustics and Generalized Snell’s Law, two widely used metamaterial models, is demonstrated analytically and applied to case studies. The relevance of the connection in the aeroacoustic field is discussed along with the consequent computational advantages for numerical simulations. This is exploited to perform a simulation-based design optimization of a phase-graded metasurface acoustic lining of a 2 D duct in presence of flow. Results show promising abilities of the optimized device to modify and control the directivity of the noise emitted from the duct by means of unconventional reflections. The noise reduction in the desired direction is obtained through constructive and destructive interference, with no absorption from the boundaries.