3D-Printed Device Creates Acoustic Rainbows Without Electricity

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid have developed a 3D-printed acoustic rainbow emitter (ARE) that separates broadband white noise into distinct frequencies and directs them in different directions, creating an acoustic rainbow. Unlike traditional acoustic systems, the ARE uses passive scattering, requiring no electricity. By leveraging computational morphogenesis, topology optimization, and wave-based modeling, the researchers designed a complex structure that manipulates sound waves through interactions with its surface. This groundbreaking device opens new avenues in acoustic sensing and control, offering potential applications in various fields.