concrete blocks (IMAGE) Penn State Caption Penn State researchers investigated a method for better balancing sustainability with desirable acoustic properties in concrete floor slabs similar to the one shown in this photo with, left, Jonathan Broyles, an architectural engineering doctoral candidate, and Nathan Brown, assistant professor of architectural engineering. This scaled-down slab, fabricated in collaboration with Jonathan C. Boliek, an independent contractor, is a model for future research with Micah Shepherd, assistant research professor of acoustics and a paper co-author Credit Kelby Hochreither, Penn State Usage Restrictions non commercial use only License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.