Innovation overcomes the obstacle of ultrasound technology to extinguish flames by presenting infrasound pulses at around 20 Hz. The device is activated by an electric motor and can extinguish flames from more than seven meters away.
A new technology could revolutionize firefighting by eliminating the need for water or chemicals. Developed by the North American startup Sonic Fire Tech, the innovation uses infrassons — low-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear — to extinguish fires cleanly, silently and sustainably.
According to the company, the acoustic vibrations generated by the system interfere with the combustion process by altering the flow of oxygen that feeds the flames. The result is a method that puts out the fire without leaving residue e no hearing risks to people nearby.
Furthermore, the reduced energy consumption makes the equipment suitable for rural areas and areas prone to forest fires.
The idea of using sound to put out flames is not entirely new. In 2012, the North American agency DARPA demonstrated the feasibility of the concept, and in 2015 two students built a prototype with a 10-inch subwoofer, but neither of these systems was considered safe for human hearing.
Sonic Fire Tech managed to overcome this obstacle by creating a mechanical piston, similar to that in a car engine, that emits infrasound pulses at about 20 Hz. The device, driven by an electric motor, can extinguish flames from more than seven meters away.
According to the company’s executive director and former NASA engineer Geoff Bruder, cited by , it was necessary to completely abandon the traditional loudspeaker concept and develop everything from scratch.
The system, Bruder says, can be installed discreetly on roofs or home structures. When the sensors detect heat or smoke, the device automatically activates and directs sound waves towards risk areasalways without producing audible noise. Works with just 500 watts of power and can integrate backup batteries in case of electrical failure. The installation cost, according to the company, would represent around 2% of the value of the home.
