The ACOUSTEX team from Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) won second place in the Energy and Environment category at TEKNOFEST 2024 University Students Research Project Competitions with their project titled "Development of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Sandwich Composites for Acoustic Applications Using Additive Manufacturing," conducted under the Undergraduate Student Research Project (LÖKAP) program.

Team members Nazan Okur, Osman Bilal Güzelbakan, Zeynep Esra Güner, and Su Palaz achieved remarkable success with their innovative and eco-friendly products.

As part of the project, eco-friendly sandwich composite materials with high acoustic performance across a wide frequency range were developed. The production involved 3D printing of Microperforated Panels (MPP) using Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) filaments with varying perforation densities. MPPs were used as the outer surface, while hemp fibers and wool fiber waste served as the core layer for the sandwich composites.

These innovative products not only promoted a sustainable design approach but also introduced a new application area for additive manufacturing technologies in acoustic applications. The study marks a theoretical and practical first by producing sandwich composites with 3D-printed outer surfaces and a core layer made of porous fiber materials.

This significant achievement once again highlights İTÜ's leading role in developing sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.