Dynamic data center noise cancellation w/ meta materials

Top-View of Helmholtz Dynamic Damping.
Cross-Section of Helmholtz Dynamic Damping
Web UI / companion
Piston Setup

Inspiration

Datacenter fans generate large amounts of low-frequency noise. Traditional methods for noise attenuation do not scale well with cost at low frequencies.

Inspired by the use of passive metamaterials in public spaces, we developed a system to dynamically manipulate noise-attenuating metamaterials to cover a wide range of low frequencies with a single low-cost structure, instead of stacking bulky, fixed treatments.

What it does

Dynamically cancels noise based on the 4 highest tonal peaks processed at the time.

How we built it

Our system attenuates noise using 2 Helmholtz resonators, each composed of a volume (cavity) and a neck. We change the resonator volume with pistons. By changing the volume, we can change the frequency that our resonator attenuates.

The guiding equations used were: Targeting Frequency: f₀ = (c / 2π) · √( A / (V · L_eff)) Total Sound Loss (in dB): TL = 10 · log₁₀[ 1 + ( β / (f/f₀ − f₀/f) )² ].

Challenges we ran into

Getting the parts to fit together while keeping the system sealed
Selection of fasteners ## Accomplishments that we're proud of
Doing the Fourier transform on the incoming audio to find the tonal peaks and translate to movement in the pistons.
## What we learned
Calibrate the 3d printer beforehand. ## What's next for Dynamic data center noise cancellation w/ meta materials