Phononic circuits are emerging devices that can manipulate sound waves (i.e., phonons) in ways that resemble how electronic circuits control the flow of electrons. Instead of relying on wires, transistors and other common electronic components, these circuits are based on waveguides, topological edge structures and other components that can guide phonons.

Phononic circuits are opening new possibilities for the development of high-speed communication systems, quantum information systems and various other technologies.

To be compatible with existing infrastructure, including current microwave communication systems, and to be used to develop highly performing quantum technologies, these circuits should ideally operate at gigahertz (GHz) frequencies. This essentially means that the sound waves they generate and manipulate oscillate billions of times per second.

Researchers at University of Science and Technology of China, Penn State University and other institutes recently developed new compact phononic circuits that can reliably guide sound waves at 1.5 GHz.

These new circuits, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, could be used to create both quantum and classical devices that could advance communications, sensing and information processing.

“We were inspired by the success of integrated photonics and wanted to show that similar concepts could be applied to sound waves,” Mourad Oudich, co-first author of the paper, told Tech Xplore.

“Our goal was to build tiny, chip-scale phononic circuits operating at GHz frequencies that are compact, reconfigurable, and robust enough for real-world applications.”

The circuits introduced by these researchers are designed to confine acoustic waves at GHz frequencies, guiding them through tiny waveguides on a chip. Notably, these wavelengths sit directly on a substrate, which could facilitate the circuits’ large-scale fabrication.

“Our phononic circuits are made of microscopic ‘highways’ that guide sound instead of light,” explained Oudich.

“By arranging these waveguides in special patterns, we create topological pathways where sound travels smoothly even around corners or defects. This makes the circuits more reliable and much smaller than traditional acoustic devices.”

To evaluate their phononic circuits, the researchers monitored the propagation of phonons inside them using a high-resolution scanning optical vibrometer. This is a device that can measure subtle vibrations on a surface, such as those produced by the movement of phonons through the waveguides.

Oudich and his colleagues injected phonons into their circuits’ edge channels and showed that they successfully traveled through the system without scattering. They also performed a so-called Mach-Zehnder Interferometer test, which confirmed the reconfigurability of their phononic devices (i.e., their ability to rapidly alter the paths of phonons).

“We demonstrated, for the first time, topological sound transport and a phononic Mach–Zehnder interferometer directly on a chip at gigahertz frequencies,” said Oudich.

“These advances could lead to new acoustic filters for communications and even help in developing phonon-based components for future quantum technologies.”

The reconfigurable devices developed by this team of researchers could soon be used to fabricate a wide range of technologies, including quantum processors, high-precision sensors and new hybrid communication systems. Oudich and his colleagues are currently planning further research aimed at combining their circuits with existing electronics and components.

“We now aim to integrate the phononic circuits with electronic and photonic systems, making them useful for hybrid technologies,” added Oudich.

“In the long run, we want to build a full ‘phononic toolbox’ for advanced information processing and sensing.”

© 2025 Science X Network

Coats Digital is pleased to announce that leading global apparel manufacturer, GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd, has adopted Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution to drive stronger collaboration with international brand partners. The move is part of the company’s wider digital transformation strategy aimed at boosting manufacturing competitiveness and expanding global partnerships.

GG International Manufacturing Co Ltd has adopted Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution to enhance global collaboration, boost competitiveness, and accelerate digital transformation.
With facilities in Indonesia and Vietnam, the company aims to integrate advanced costing and motion analysis tools to drive productivity, standardisation, and sustainable growth.

GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd is a trusted production partner to many of the world’s top fashion brands, including Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Knitwell Group, Inditex (Zara), Victoria’s Secret, JCP, Nordstrom, AEO and Walmart, and produces a wide range of garments from blouses and suits to intimate apparel. With production facilities across Indonesia (Semarang and Boyolali) and Vietnam (Hung Yen, Hai Phong, and Hai Duong), the company specialises in woven garments and is actively investing in digitalization, research and development, and sustainable growth.

Since introducing the GSD programme in 2017, GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd. has taken business evolution to the next level by establishing its own Product Analysis Center (PAC). Leveraging innovative cost-modelling methodologies, the company has consistently measured production costs with precision to preserve price competitiveness. This proprietary system has earned positive feedback from all its trading partners. In pursuit of greater innovation, GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd has adopted Coats Digital’s advanced GSDCost solution to optimise its whole digital infrastructure.

Phil Kim, Director, GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd, said: “Building on the know-how we have accumulated through our PAC Center operations, we aim to fully integrate Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution as a strategic enhancement. By doing so, we hope to further boost our manufacturing competitiveness and accelerate our digital transformation journey.

“We regard Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution as the core engine for our sustainable growth and digital transformation programmes and we are confident that this initiative will give us the competitive edge we need to grow rapidly in the years ahead.”

Duck Baik, Associate Manager, GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd added: “We’re excited to be integrating GSDCost’s motion code methodology and its international standard time data with our legacy in–house system to create powerful synergies.”

“Through systematic field training, we have established the optimal standard for applying robust motion codes. By expanding an analytical perspective to observe each movement in detail, we now expect to significantly improve our SMV precision and productivity. We are now continuing to optimise our planning and costing processes across all factories by setting strong benchmarks to build our own standardised SMV library.”

Mela, Lean Team, GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd, said: “Coats Digital’s 6-week GSDCost training has been a game-changer for our industrial engineering department. Delivered through a structured and engaging online format, the programme offers the world’s most reliable PMTS methodology, providing our team with a solid foundation to perform accurate motion analysis and data-driven improvements.

“Throughout the training program, Coats Digital’s trainers demonstrated exceptional clarity, support, and consistency—enabling us to complete the program on schedule and confidently move toward practical implementation. Coats Digital’s training certainly sets a new standard for productivity and performance excellence.”

Linda Seo, Sales Manager, Korea, Coats Digital, commented: “We are delighted to welcome GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd to our growing GSDCost community. Its decision to adopt our solution reflects a clear commitment to transparent collaboration, performance excellence, and future-ready manufacturing. GG International Manufacturing Co. Ltd ’s investment in GSDCost is a strategic response to rising labour costs, global buyer demands, and the urgent need for operational efficiency. By digitising its costing and efficiency measurement processes, the company is laying the foundation for smarter, more connected operations that deliver value across the supply chain.”

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)