Tooth phone

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.

Acitve noise control headrests

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.

Scalable active vibration control system

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.

Slim speakers developed

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.

New active vibration isolator

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.

Unusual shaped piezo-electric devices

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.

Owens Corning Automotive releases another acoustic insulation material

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.

Lord Corp develops surface effect dampers

Lord Corporation has developed “surface effect dampers” that absorb energy as a function of displacement. Conventional dampers use oil and absorb energy as a function of velocity. The technology has been applied to engine and body mounts.

Read the story on the Lord Corporation web site.