New Fire Extinguisher Uses Sound to Put Out Fires

A fire extinguisher that puts out fires in their initial stages using sound waves has been invented by a national research team. (Image : Kobizmedia / Korea Bizwire)

Seoul, July 17 (Korea Bizwire) – A fire extinguisher that puts out fires in their initial stages using sound waves has been invented by a national research team.

Soongsil University announced Professor Bae Myung-jin of the Sound Engineering Lab and his team invented the Sound Wind fire extinguisher and developed initial products.

The Sound Wind fire extinguisher releases low frequency sounds under 100Hz. The sound waves travel through the air and block oxygen flowing into the fire. At the same time, they lower the temperature of the fire, putting it out.

The possibility of a fire extinguisher using sound became known after the National Defense and Science Institute of the American State Department openly suggested that when a fire occurs between two large speakers, sound can put it out. In addition, students at George Mason University posted a video on Youtube showing a portable fire extinguisher they had invented. Using sound, it puts out a fire the size of a portable gas burner.

Professor Bae’s team explains that if the aperture plane of the speakers is broad, the capacity to put out a fire can decrease, as the sound output is dispersed. So, the team used a method to gather the sound and release it after it is localized.

Two different types of fire extinguishers have been developed. One is a portable extinguisher for domestic use, which can put out fires in their early stages, and the other is stick-type extinguisher firefighters can use on fires in an early-mid state, when they need some space apart from the fire.

Professor Bae says, “The Sound Wind fire extinguisher is an invention that contains more than 20 years of sound technology from Soongsil University’s Sound Engineering Lab. With its efficiency and economic feasibility, we expect it will be actively used on actual fires.”

Soongsil University announced Professor Bae Myung-jin of the Sound Engineering Lab and his team invented the Sound Wind fire extinguisher and developed initial products. (Image : Soongsil Univ. )

By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)