QinetiQ and Ultra Electronics have developed an active noise control system for the interior of aircraft to reduce broadband noise. The system uses active trim panels attached to the inside of the fuselage.

Read more on the QinetiQ web site.Read about the QinetiQ and Lufthansa alliance.

Shell Global Solutions has installed vortex induced vibration (VIV) suppression fairings on the mooring tendons of the Marco Polo platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The modified tendons are designed to suppress vibrations caused by water currents, thereby helping to prevent premature fatigue failure.

Read more on the Shell Global Solutions web site.

Chrysler Group has launched the Durango 2004 model that has new noise control products in the body.
PUR foam is a patented noise suppression adhesive that is injected into the body of the vehicle to minimize noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The second technology, Liquid Applied Sound Deadener system (LASD) is an underbody system that applies a liquid compound to the vehicle’s floor pan and helps reduce noise inside the vehicle.

Read more on the Daimler Chrysler web site.

Canada’s National Research Council has started construction for the new National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT). The laboratory’s environment will have ultra-low vibration and minimal acoustical noise and electro-magnetic interference.

Read more on the NRC web site.

Eurocopter’s latest development the EC225 joins their Super Puma family of helicopters. The new helicopter has lower cabin noise than the Super Pumas by about 3dB. In addition, an active vibration control system reduces vibration levels to about 0.08g.

Read the news article on the Rotor Hub web site.

Read more about the EC225 on the Eurocopter web site.

LMS International have started a subsidiary company called Noesis Solutions that is focusing process integration and design optimisation.

Read more on the LMS web site.

Sonion manufacture two types of microphones using MEMS technology. One is for mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile telephones, the other is for hearing aids. These microphones are *small* – 3mm^3.

Read more on the Sonion web site.

Bang and Olufsen have released the Beolab5 loudspeakers that calibrate themselves according to the acoustics within the room, and have a acoustic lenses to create a flat directivity pattern. The acoustic lense technology is licensed from Sausolito Audio Works.

See the specifications on the Bang and Olufsen web site.

An experiment is being conducted on the International Space Station that involves testing of magneto-rheological fluid. The experiment is called Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE).

Read the background on the NASA web site, and the ISS status report #30.

Knowles Acoustics (formerly Emkay Innovative Products), a division of Knowles Electronics are now mass producing a surface mounted microphone called the SiSonic, that uses MEMS technology.

Note that Knowles also produce a small condenser microphone (2.5×2.5mm).