Alappuzha (Kerala) Feb 2 (IANS) Researchers in Kerala have developed a coir-based sound panelling system that offers a superior, low-cost, organic alternative to synthetic acoustic design products used in construction, architecture and engineering.
Developed by the Thiruvananthapuram-based National Coir Research & Management Institute (NCRMI) in partnership with the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), the Accoir is on display at an ongoing Kerala international expo on coir and natural fibre products which opened here Sunday.
Accoir, which comes in the form of ceiling and wall tiles, is the result of two years research to manufacture a high quality, marketable product that leverages the well known sound absorption properties of coir, a natural fibre obtained from coconut.
"Acoustic panels used for interior decoration and as sound barriers constitute a very niche market," said Kerala's Minister for Revenue and Coir Adoor Prakash.
"Introducing an organic product in this segment, especially one derived from as sustainable a material as coir, could be a very successful move commercially," the minister added.
NCRMI director K.R. Anil said the main challenge for researchers was not just to enhance the acoustic properties of coir, but overcome its natural limitations such as coarseness of texture and flammability.
"Commercially viable acoustic panels need to be fire retardant, easy to install and clean, durable and aesthetically pleasing," he said.
"With Accoir, we have not just managed to achieve all of these but have created a product that matches and even betters the properties of the best available products globally," he added.
The leading acoustic products in the market have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) -- a sound absorption rating -- of around 0.5 to 0.6. (NRC is measured on a scale of 0 to 1 with the latter indicating perfect absorption).
Accoir, when tested, returned values as high as 0.7 to 0.8.
NCRMI has filed for a patent and will soon look at production and marketing partners to commercially launch Accoir.
Accoir comes as a 25mm thick panelling system for the ceiling and a 40 mm wall cladding system. It is ideal for theatres, conference venues, conference halls, homes and any space that requires good sound modulation.
Although the price point of the new coir panels has not been fixed yet, it is expected to cost at par or less than the materials currently available in the market.
D. Africa's Foreign Ministry guarantees Team India is not in danger from the 'Omicron' variant
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa has said that a complete bio-secure environment (
Growing strategic ties see record number of Indians visiting Saudi Arabia
Bengaluru, Feb 21 (IANS) A record 1.2 million Indians wer
Varanasi widows break tradition, play Holi on the banks of Ganga
Varanasi, Feb 20 (IANS) It turned out to be a different and memorable Friday for hundreds of w
India suffered a crushing defeat under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Under his leadership, Team
A new revelation has been made in the kidnapping case of actor Mushtaq Khan, who played Sunny Deo
Monkeypox: Competition between Serum and Bharat Biotech to make monkeypox vaccine
Like Corona, now there is a competition between two big famous companies in the country regarding
Terrorists are constantly trying to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. An encounter took pla
Many players of the England cricket team have left IPL 2024 midway and returned home. The England
Rakhi Sawant: Amidst Diljit Dosanjh controversy, Rakhi Sawant praised Aamir Khan, users got angry
While Diljit Dosanjh is being criticized for casting Pakistani actress Hania Amir in the Punjabi
CBSE 12th Result: CBSE Class 12th results may come by this date, know how to check
CBSE 12th Result 2022: Board examinations of classes X and XII have now been successfully conduct
