ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Acoustic metamaterials

Acoustic metamaterials are like magic materials that can control sound waves in cool and interesting ways. They are made up of tiny structures, kind of like little building blocks that are put together to form a bigger structure. Think of it like playing with legos. These tiny structures can make acoustic metamaterials bend or reflect sound waves, like how a ball bounces off a wall. They can also block sound waves from passing through, so it’s like putting a big wall up to block sound.

Acoustic metamaterials can be used in lots of different ways. For example, they can be used to create sound barriers to block out loud noises from traffic or construction sites. They can also be used in medical devices to improve the clarity of ultrasounds or to even control how sound waves move inside the body.

Overall, acoustic metamaterials are like special walls that can stop or redirect sound waves, and scientists are still finding new ways to use them in the real world.