Doing acoustics COVID style

 

Professor Peter Mapp has been busy investigating the effect on speech intelligibility whilst wearing masks. Something usually only important whilst under going surgery but now... Not sure how much the Binaural Observers (Bobs) have got to say but lets how clear it is! 

Inter-Noise presentation by Dr Haydar Aygun

 

On the 25th August 2020 Dr Haydar Aygun presented his research to the Inter-Noise 2020 eCongress via Zoom. His paper entitled, "Scattering of acoustic waves in air and water filled 3D printed porous rigid materials", was pre-recorded and available to view until 6th September 2020.

PhD candidate presents her research at Inter-Noise 2020

 

On the 25th August 2020 PhD candidate Suzana Zekic presented at the first ever Virtual Inter-Noise eCongress. She presented her work entitled, "Measurement Methods of Acoustics Properties for Alternative Ventilation Ducts". Suzana did this live which was impressive as the session was very early in the morning as the conference was hosted in South Korea! Questions were through the Chair using the chat option in Zoom. A novel experience for all!

Acoustics Kit for Home Use: All Ready for 20/21

 The Acoustics Group has purchase more audio kit for home use by the incoming  2020/21 students. The additional kit consists of Behringer omni-directional measurement microphones and two channel USB 192 kHz 24 bit sound cards. This kit will be used with Windows based measurement software for calibrated data acquisition. Finally, we have identical mechanical music boxes as a simple sound devices. We hope this 'lab in a box' will give the students plenty to experiment with over the coming autumn term!  

Ultrasonic Devices & Audibility – Hearing the Inaudible Lecture

 In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in Ultrasonic sounds & emissions, culminating in a special addition of JASA dedicated to the topic in 2018. Ultrasonic devices have a wide range of application ranging from ultrasonic tape measures and car proximity warning systems to pest deterrents and the safety surveillance monitoring of public address and sound systems used for emergency purposes. Other uses include ultrasonic cleaning and medical applications as well as antisocial behaviour deterrent devices, wind speed indicators and ‘inaudible’ ringtones. The talk will take a brief look at a number of typical applications and discuss the human sensitivity to ultrasound and the potential audibility, typical levels and issues that some of these devices and applications produce. Visiting Professor with the Institute of Acoustic London Branch will present his lecture on-line at 6pm on 16th September 2020.

 

Acoustics Group Activity Reported by IOA Bulletin

The May/June 2020 issue of the  Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Bulletin reports on a prize giving ceremony for LSBU IOA Diploma students which took place at the IOA London Branch in January 2020. The new annual prize competition is sponsored by NTI Audio to award the best IOA Diploma final project undertaken at LSBU.  https://www.ioa.org.uk/sites/default/files/Acoustics%20Bulletin%20May-June%202020.pdf

The July /August 2020 issue of the Bulletin summarises the successful and pioneering educational exchange between LSBU Acoustics students and Architecture students of Architectural Associates which took place in Feb 2020.

Dr Luis Gomez-Agustina,  IOA Diploma course director, also appears in the new  promotional video https://www.ioa.org.uk/watch-our-students-video-diploma-acoustics-noise-control on the  IOA Diploma course (run at LSBU) as ex alumni and current course director. We hope you enjoy these latest new stories.

Teaching Preparation for 20/21

The Acoustics Group have implemented plans to deliver teaching in 20/21 using a hybrid model. Lectures will be on-line / experiments at home/labs. Students will be given kit (not to keep) to undertake experiments at home using the ARTA measurement system, as well borrowing Class 1 sound level meters for environment assessments. In addition, a few laboratories will be run at Uni at monthly intervals to cover specialist areas and run in accordance with current government guidance. We hope to see you after the summer break - one way or another!