Acoustic properties of microslit resonators fabricated with spent coffee grounds and polylactic acid

The use of waste material for fabrication of architectural elements is a promising alternative to landfilling. Upcycling organic waste reduces its environmental impact and prevents excess strain on waste management systems. Spent coffee grounds (SCG) can be upcycled as filler in polylactic acid (PLA) based biocomposites, which can be shaped into complex forms such as microslit resonators. By testing the absorptive properties of an SCG-PLA biocomposite sample in an impedance tube, its quality as an acoustic element is determined. This talk details the physical and mechanical properties of SCG-PLA biocomposites, the results of the impedance tube measurements, and possible use case scenarios for architectural acousticians.