A consortium of 51 manufacturers from engine, aircraft, and equipment sectors as well as design and manufacturing firms, research establishments, and universities, are joining to develop technologies that would enable a minimum six-decibel reduction in aircraft noise.
Read the story on the SAE web site.
A new method of making MEMS devices is on the way. Traditional MEMS devices are made by etching silicon. A new method has been developed to etch metal, called EFAB. It is a metal deposition process that can be used to make complex 3D shapes. With EFAB processing, one can make electromagnetic actuators (e.g., solenoids) or sensors based on electromagnetic transduction—applications not well served by silicon micromachining.
Read the full article on the Sensor Mag web site.
Akustica is a US start-up company (not to be confused with the journal of the same name), that is developing MEMS that have combined on-chip microphones and electronics, and also speaker and electronics. This new technology allows the components to be miniaturised and produced extremely cheaply. They have developed microphones that are less than 1 mm^2, and a miniature speaker array that has 8 individually controllable speakers.
Read about the technology on the Akustica web site.
A model will be shown at the Science Musuem in London, of a tooth implant that has a receiver and shaker. The device will receive RF signals and vibrate the jaw bone so that an audible signal can be heard in the ear of the wearer.
Read the full story on the Telegraph web site.
Silence International, a Norwegian company, has developed an active noise control headrest called the “Silent Zone headrest”. The Silent Zone headrest will first be introduced in diesel locomotives.
Read the full story on the Silence International web site.
Researchers at Vanderbuilt University, Department of Mechanical Engineering are developing active control systems to reduce the noise inside the payload bay of rockets. The take-off noise and vibration inside the rocket is responsible for many satellite failures and satellite manufacturers have to re-inforce the construction of their satellites to withstand the harsh conditions. By reducing the noise inside the paylaod bay, the weight of the satellite can be reduced, which substantially reduces the cost per launch. Ken Frampton’s group is designing modular active vibration control systems that will be scalable, as the number of nodes increases.
Read the full article on the Vanderbuilt University, Department of Mechanical Engineering web site.
Matsushita (usually known as Panasonic), have developed an ultra-thin speaker called the “Sound Slim”. Conventional speakers have a cylindrical arrangement of the voice coil and magnet, whereas the Sound Slim speakers has the voice coil placed horizontally between two permanent magnets, which results in reduction in size of about 3/4 the thickness and 1/2 the width compared to a conventional speaker.
Read the press release on the Matsushita web site.
BAE System’s Advanced Research Centre is developing an active vibration isolator that combines a conventional spring and an electromagnetic shaker. The SmartSpring is targetted for use in Naval vessels where the minimization of the acoustic signature is important to avoid detection.
Read the full article on the web site.
Midé Technology Corporation are using lasers to cut small grooves into piezo-crystals that provides strain relief and allows the crystal to be formed into unusual shapes. Crystals can be bent into cylindrical or spherical shapes. Cuts in certain directions can cause the crystal to not only bend but also twist
Read the full article on the Missile Defence Agency web site.
Read the description on the Midé web site.
Owen Corning Automotive, a tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry, has released another product for providing acoustic insulation. The VersaMat product has been used successfully in dish washers, and washing machines. Plans are to use the material in headliners, door panels, under-the-hood applications, trunk storage systems and under carpet heat shields
Read more at the Owens Corning Automotive web site.