Investigating the acoustic characteristics of carbon nanotube buckypaper

This paper investigates the acoustic characteristics of carbon nanotube buckypaper, made from a mesh of nanotubes. This material has excellent mechanical durability and strength, however little is known of the acoustic properties of this material. Some research has indicated that carbon nanotubes may be implemented as an acoustic porous absorber. The objective of this paper was therefore to quantify the acoustic properties of a test buckypaper sample. The sample was mounted at the end of a purpose built impedance tube and the standard two-microphone method was used to measure the associated absorption and reflection coefficients. This experiment also demonstrates how such a test scenario can be used in engineering education using an approach based on the principles of Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate (CDIO). Thus engineering students may be introduced to the practical side to engineering along with an introduction to some basic acoustic principles.