The Refurnished Acoustics Laboratory

Over January 2012, the Acoustics Laboratory has been refurnished ready for the start of Semester 2. This is the first full refurnishment of the lab since it opened in 1977!

MSc student wins the ASA Newman Medal

Sheldon Walters won the Newman best student dissertation for his Masters project on, " Noise Control Potential of Vacuum Isolation Panels". An investigation into the acoustic performance various prototypes designed and built at the workshops of London South Bank University. The Bradford Newman medal is for excellence in the study of acoustics and its application to architecture. The prize will be awarded by the Acoustical Society of America.

The Acoustics Group 2012

The Acoustics Group has expanded and now has a new focus in Speech Intelligibility to add to the Industrial Research foundation built over the last six years. We wish all the best to the old researchers and good luck to the new ones!

Two papers submitted to Acoustics 2012

Two papers have been submitted to the IoA/SFA conference in Nantes. An invited paper, "Cheap Acoustics as a learning methodology" and a contributed paper, "A route on to our PhD programme", both papers are in the Education Session. Nantes here we come!

Paper submitted to the ASA/Hong Kong Conference

An optional paper has been submitted taken from the work of the 2010/11 Masters students' projects to the Joint Acoustical Society of America / Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics. The conference is in May 2012, and unfortunately I'm the only one going!! Thanks to Alba, Sheldon, Sarah, Luis and Georgia for "Improving orchestra pit for the benefit of musicians".

Noise Map of the Tube Completed

The noise map of the tube system of London Underground for Zones 1-3 has been completed. By averaging the noise levels measured bewteen stations a map has been created. Generally, the noise levels on surface trains is 65-70 dBA, the sub-surface stations 70-75 dBA, however for the deep lines it ranges from 80-85 dBA. The highest levels were dangerously loud, greater than 85 dBA, these were Northern Line between Hampstead and Golders Green, Bakerloo Line between Baker Street and Marylebone, Central Line between Liverpool Streret to Mile End, and Piccadilly Line between Bounds Green and Wood Green.

Start MSc in January 2012

The MSc in Environmental and Architectural Acoustics now offers a Semester 2 start - 31st January 2012. This provides the added benefit of avoiding the 55% increase in fees which is now set for 2012/13. The overseas fee remains the same for 2012/13.

IoA Planning Appeals Seminar

Sending the MSc students to a Planning Appeals seminar on the 2nd February 2012, to be held at WSP Offices, Holborn. I think it should well targeted as it's been organised by the Young Members Group of the Institute of Acoustics, it will also get them out of class!

Nicky submits her PhD Thesis

To start 2012, Nicky Shiers submitted her doctoral thesis, entitled "Acoustic Design for Inpatient Facilities in Hospitals". The viva date is set for 1st Februrary 2012. More bed time reading!