Sonexos Partners with EPFL to Advance Plasma-based Active Sound-Absorbing Technology

Cutting-edge innovation promises reduced noise and improved acoustics for vehicle cabins and interior spaces

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, 7 June 2023 – Sonexos, a Swiss-based international engineering company serving renowned brands across the automotive, aviation, consumer, and industrial sectors, announced today a strategic partnership with EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Signal Processing Laboratory LTS2 to develop groundbreaking plasma-based active sound-absorbing technology.

Traditional passive sound absorption methods rely on materials such as foam and fabric to dampen sound energy. While effective at higher frequencies, such materials add mass and consume valuable space. Conversely, active methods employ lightweight electronic systems to cancel or reduce sound, primarily targeting low frequencies.

By collaborating with EPFL, Sonexos aims to leverage the power of a novel, patented plasma-based method for active sound absorption. The revolutionary approach involves the production of a thin layer of ionized air that is manipulated electronically to absorb incident sound waves. The plasma layer’s mass-less nature enables sound absorption over a substantially wider range of frequencies than conventional active techniques, making it suitable for a diverse range of applications.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Mark Donaldson, CEO of Sonexos, stated, “We are tremendously excited about the immense potential of plasma technology in reducing noise and enhancing the acoustics of various interior environments, including vehicle and aircraft cabins, office spaces, and homes. As we lead the development and commercialization efforts, we are privileged to collaborate with the exceptional team of engineers at EPFL.”

Sonexos has licensed certain intellectual property associated with plasma-based active sound absorption from EPFL. The two organizations will jointly advance the development of this technology with the invaluable support of funding from the Swiss Innovation Agency.

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About us

Sonexos is a Swiss engineering company specializing in high-performance audio and sound control. We develop and supply advanced solutions for audio enhancement, noise and vibration control to clients in the consumer, transportation, automotive and industrial sectors.

A core innovation is our Plasmapanel technology—an active acoustic solution that achieves broadband sound absorption in enclosed spaces such as vehicle cabins, rooms, offices, ducts, and machinery. Unlike passive treatments that rely on mass or porous materials, Plasmapanel actively absorbs the energy of incident sound waves upon contact, delivering lighter, more space-efficient noise reduction across a wide frequency range.

 

Beyond our R&D capabilities, Sonexos provides strategic advisory services to help clients accelerate innovation in sound and acoustics. Our offerings include product design consultation, acoustic benchmarking, system integration support, and scalable manufacturing guidance—ensuring successful deployment of advanced technologies and long-term differentiation in the marketplace.

By combining deep technical expertise with a pragmatic, system-level approach, Sonexos empowers companies to elevate acoustic performance where it matters most – where sound enhances experience.