Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratories have found that during earthquakes the air is vibrated and infrasound is generated.See the article on redorbit web site.
Web site migrated to wordpress
Noiseboard.com was started in June 2002 using the Postnuke content management system. After 10 years and several hacks, it was time to upgrade the site. It took a couple of weeks of work to migrate from Postnuke to WordPress. Most of the content has been converted from the old site to the new site with equivalent plugins.
If you have an amusing story to tell about acoustics and vibration consulting jobs, please send them to our forum.
I’ve tried to make it easier to register for the web site by allowing authentication from facebook, google+, twitter and others.
Fake Engine Noise
The online Popular Mechanics magazine has an interesting article on The Rise of the Fake Engine Roar. Those that have followed the history of active noise control will remember that Lotus created an acoustic system to create fake engine noise inside the cabin of automobiles to enhance the psychoacoustics perception of engine noise for passengers.
Ansys v14.5 near to release
The finite element analysis software Ansys version 14.0 has added a bunch of new capabilities for analysing acoustic problems. Version 14.5 is nearing completion to the release date and support channels have access to pre-release versions.
Acoustic Cloaking Device
Researchers at Duke University have shown both theoretically and experimentally a device that is capable of providing acoustic ‘cloaking’ at frequencies between 1kHz-4kHz. The demonstration works for very directional sound waves.
More information can be found on the BBC News web site.
Better MRIs using Low Frequency Noise
Researchers at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic have developed a technique that uses low frequency sound to vibrate internal organs and when used with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner (MRI) can be used to determine the elasticity or stiffness of internal organs, which is an indicator that something is wrong.
This new technique, called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), was commercialised by GE Healthcare. They released their new device called MR-Touch, which is the first commercial application of MRE technology, which the company has licensed from the Mayo Clinic.
To read more about this story visit the Scientific American web site.
4th edition of Engineering Noise Control
The 4th edition of Bies and Hansen Engineering Noise Control will go on sale on 26th June 2009.
See the Amazon web site for more details.
Ultrasonic
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a portable high intensity ultrasound system. They have built a small battery powered demonstration device.
For more information, read their journal article, “Development of a portable therapeutic and high intensity ultrasound system for military, medical, and research use“
Ultrasonic noise source locater
Tracerline have a product called the TP-9370 Marksman™ Ultrasonic Diagnostic Tool which has a sensor to detect ultrasonic noise sources and convert them to an audible signal for listening through a pair of headphones. The tool is intended for detecting the location of leaks.
Automotive acoustic liners made from recycled materials
Federal Mogul have developed an acoustic liner that is made from recycled materials including cardboard, carpet fibres, and other fabrics. The first application will be the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan.
For more information, read the press release on the Federal Mogul web site.