Recent progress in the fabrication of homogenized electromagnetic media with negative characteristics has made possible the intriguing phenomena of negative refraction, perfect focussing and invisibility cloaks. There is currently considerable interest in extending this novel concept to acoustic waves. The PhD studentship proposed here will consider acoustic metamaterials that can be designed to have specific absorption, reflection and transmission behaviour for sound waves, working alongside our international collaborators who are undertaking modelling studies. Subsequently construction of acoustic structures will be undertaken, with the initial goal of demonstrating an ultra-thin, broadband acoustic absorber. Initial development of measurement techniques will be required.