Reducing noise with advanced acoustic materials: Irish physicists selected as finalists for the European Inventor Award 2023
Lios are excited to announce they have been selected as one of three finalists in the 'SMEs' category for this year's European Inventor Award, recognising outstanding inventors with inventions patented in Europe. We were selected from over 600 candidates for this year's edition. This is the first year an Irish company has been nominated for the awards!
SoundBounce in early development stages
Inventors Rhona Togher and Eimear O'Carroll developed a material solution to attenuate loud noise
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) approximately 20% of the EU population lives in areas with unacceptable noise and vibration levels. High noise levels have been linked to poor sleep and higher instances of heart problems. Due to noise pollution, the EEA estimates that 22 million people across Europe currently suffer from chronic high annoyance, whilst 6.5 million suffer chronic high sleep disturbance. Irish inventors Rhona Togher and Eimear O'Carroll created an advanced acoustic material that reduces noise to address this issue.
A sound solution for millions of people
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common health problem caused by loud sounds. Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress. Togher and O'Carroll's invention, SoundBounce™, is a composite technology that reduces the negative effects of loud noise. It consists of a responsive material housed within a cellular structure that responds to agitation by becoming liquid and absorbing energy. One of its innovations is the invention's cellular structure; the second is a thixotropic gel placed inside the cells. Once sealed, they work together to dampen sound, reducing noise transmission from one space to another. This new material can also be integrated into machinery and vehicles to reduce noise output. It can be used in the automotive, construction, aerospace, and home appliance industries.
This material is particularly effective at low frequencies, which present a significant challenge connected to products with engines, vibrations, and airflow. SoundBounce's thinner material means that aeroplanes or vehicles using it could be lighter, thus reducing fuel consumption and leaving more space. In addition to the environmental advantages related to noise reduction, the materials used to make SoundBounce have a low environmental impact as they are non-toxic and recyclable at end-of-life.
CTO, Eimear OCarroll (R) and CEO, Rhona Togher (L)
Inspired by a love of music, who is making our world quieter?
O'Carroll and Togher met when they were 15 in secondary school and bonded over their love of music. They were particularly curious about how people experienced noise and wanted to lessen the adverse effects of overexposure to loud sounds.
"Having experienced noise-damaged hearing in the form of tinnitus after going to noisy gigs, we were determined to find a way to alleviate the ringing in our ears," explained Togher. "As we explored options for further R&D funding for the project, we were encouraged by the Local Enterprise Office in our hometown of Sligo to turn our invention into a business. Their support and encouragement were invaluable in those early days," added O'Carroll.
The result was the inception of their company Lios in 2009, which Rhona Togher heads as the CEO and co-founder. She has paved the way for innovation with her expertise in physics, having attended the University College Dublin. Eimear O'Carroll trained as a physicist at the University of Edinburgh. As CTO and co-founder of Lios, O'Carroll is the bridge between Lios' customers and the product development team focusing on creating effective noise reduction technologies. Since SoundBounce was created, Togher and O'Carroll's company has developed partnerships with renowned organisations such as the European Space Agency.
SoundBounce proto type, early stage development
The Irish duo behind the innovation have been named one of three finalists in the 'SMEs' category for this year's European Inventor Award, recognising outstanding inventors with inventions patented in Europe. The winners of the 2023 edition of the European Inventor Award will be announced at a hybrid ceremony on 4 July 2023 in Valencia (Spain).