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UConn Develops Game-Changing Acoustic Metamaterial for Medicine

11/27/2025

Summary

Story summary

University of Connecticut researchers have developed a reconfigurable acoustic metamaterial that can bend, dampen, or focus sound waves.
It features an 11-by-11 grid of individually controlled pillars enabling real-time adjustments for medical imaging and soundproofing.
The technology can non-invasively target tumors or kidney stones with low-amplitude sound waves, and may reduce drag on objects.
AI algorithms optimize performance, and the study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Story summary

University of Connecticut researchers have developed a reconfigurable acoustic metamaterial that can bend, dampen, or focus sound waves.
It features an 11-by-11 grid of individually controlled pillars enabling real-time adjustments for medical imaging and soundproofing.
The technology can non-invasively target tumors or kidney stones with low-amplitude sound waves, and may reduce drag on objects.
AI algorithms optimize performance, and the study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.