Example use case

Danny is the facilities design authority for a government department in which has some staff using a commercial building. This building is about 10 years old, so has a modern feel, but was not specifically designed for the government department in mind. It has multiple floors and tenants, of which the department will be a substantial tenant, but only one of many.

Within a small area (5 x 5 metres) of the rented office is a designated zone to be accredited for heightened, sensitive conversations. This area is required by policy and procedure to offer a high level of acoustic dampening, at least 45 dB of attenuation. Danny liaises with the buildings estates teams, architects, security accreditors and users. This office space cannot be structurally altered. It can however be retrofitted in a limited way, allowing some degree of flexibility in terms of the materials than Danny could use. Danny also looks into sound-proof booths but this reduces the usable room space in an already space restricted area. The agreed option between stakeholders is to retrofit panels to the existing wall. This would ideally use material offering the correct level of acoustic dampening, with the potential of being used in more, future facilities. This could include static facilities that may be in use for many years, or those used in an agile way for only a short, set period of time – to later be removed and used somewhere else. The solution needs to be easy to install and flexible in how it is used. It should be possible for it to be manipulated to allow for existing room facilities such as cabling, electrical sockets, aircon units etc and should be easy to transport.

Project scope

The outcome focus of the 12-week project should be the demonstration of a selection of materials that could potentially be used to reflect or dampen acoustics. We would encourage the focus from TRL (Technical readiness level) 3 (critical function proof of concept) up to TRL 5 (basic validation in relevant environment).

There will be many trade-offs to consider, which may only become obvious during attempted installations. So, we would encourage you to de-risk this activity by developing/identifying multiple materials that may fulfil the critical function.

Ideally we are looking for an acoustic and materials specialist to provide novel, high spec materials.

Mandatory targets:

• Acoustic dampening must be provable to at least 45 dB attenuation. If not achieved in the 12-week project, then there should be a defined, clear pathway to achieve this later.

• Outcome of the 12 weeks must be the demonstration of acoustic attenuation testing data.

Things to consider:

• Material should be robust and capable of global transportation.

• Final product must be personally transportable.

• Routes to commercial exploitation should have been explored/identified.

• No specialist installation should be required.

• Space-saving solutions are needed, that do not take up significant areas ofroom. For example, large acoustic cones may be out of scope.

• Retrofitted into existing office spaces should be possible.

• Solutions should not interfere with existing infrastructure, such as cabling, electrical sockets, air con units etc.

What we are not interested in:

• Horizon scanning.

• Soundproofing booths.

Eligibility

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes, including those not traditionally associated with the defence and security sector. There is no requirement for security clearances. Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.