PROGRAMMA PRIN 2022 - BCALL PRIN2022 D.D. N.104 DEL 2 FEBRUARY 2022
PROJECT TITLE METAWAVE - Nuova finestra in metamateriale for simultaneous Acoustic, Ventilation and Energy performance
CODICE CUP D53D23003950006
Budget: € 97,380.00 (including staff), net funding € 66,152.00
U.R. Coordinator Francesco MARTELLOTTA
Other Research Units or any Sub-Units
University of Bologna (PI)
CNR-ITC (UR)
Purpose
The project aims to develop innovative windows capable of reconciling energy efficiency, acoustic comfort, natural lighting, ventilation, and overheating control. The research proposes a window based on acoustic metamaterials integrated into the window structure and capable of controlling noise over a sufficiently wide bandwidth, ensuring good natural ventilation and maintaining good energy performance.
Expected results
The project is structured into several work packages, aimed at exploring specific aspects:
WP2 aims to build a shared knowledge base on the state of the art regarding acoustic metamaterials, innovative windows, ventilation, and thermo-fluid dynamic aspects. The expected output is a literature review published in a journal.
WP3 provides for the concept and preliminary design of the system, integrating acoustic, energy, and ventilation requirements. Reports and scientific publications are expected on the overall design and on the predicted performance, combining experimental results and numerical models.
WP4 provides for the fabrication and experimental validation of laboratory-scale meta-material units. The expected results include the development of a laboratory measurement protocol, on small-size samples for acoustic characterization and air permeability, and the subsequent collection of experimental measurements to characterize the system.
WP5 provides for the realization and verification of the full-scale AMW prototype. The expected results include the assessment of acoustic performance and air permeability both in the laboratory and in situ.
WP1 and WP6 provide respectively for management and dissemination activities of the results
Achieved results
The Politecnico di Bari unit, within WP2, coordinated the bibliographic survey on the use of metamaterials in windows, which resulted in the review article published in Building and Environment in 2025. With reference to WP3, the POLIBA unit developed the CFD analysis of the ventilation performance of the units, providing essential indications for evaluating and improving the fluid-dynamic behavior of the system. Within WP4, the POLIBA unit played a central role in the development of experimental tests on the metamaterial units, enhancing the laboratory instrumentation for transmission loss measurements and developing a methodology, based on ISO 9053-1, to characterize the ventilation of the units in a standardized way, published in Building and Environment. Finally, measurements were carried out on a 1:10 scale model, intended to provide a complement to the surveys conducted in situ within WP5 by the other project units.
Publications:
C. Rubino, S. Liuzzi, G. Fusaro, F. Martellotta, C. Scrosati, M. Garai. Balancing ventilation and sound insulation in windows by means of metamaterials: A review of the state of the art. Building and Environment 275 (2025) 112780. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112780
C. Rubino, S. Liuzzi, F. Martellotta. Assessing airflow performance of ventilated acoustic metamaterials: a methodology to enhance comparability of results. Building and Environment 288 (2026) 114001. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.114001
