Meringue-Like Material Reduces Aircraft Noise

An incredibly light new material that can reduce aircraft engine noise and improve passenger comfort has been developed. The graphene oxide-polyvinyl alcohol aerogel weighs 2.1 kg per cubic meter, making it the lightest sound insulation ever manufactured. It could be used as insulation within aircraft engines to reduce noise by up to 16 decibels — reducing the 105-decibel roar of a jet engine taking off to a sound closer to that of a hairdryer.