Dr. Ying-Tsong Lin, the 12th person in history to visit Challenger Deep, is an acoustic scientist studying sound propagation in the ocean. His research aims to improve acoustic communication and geo-location at extreme depths.
A Cornell University team has discovered a way to control electron spin transitions using acoustic waves, eliminating the need for magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables the development of smaller, more power-efficient acoustic sensors for navigation technology and other applications.
Scientists from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory have improved distributed algorithms for multi-agent coordination, enabling better situational awareness and communication capabilities for Soldiers in limited bandwidth scenarios.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has successfully harnessed the 'whispering gallery' effect to control electron beams using light. This breakthrough enables new possibilities for quantum technologies in nanoscale sensing and microscopy.
A pilot study tested the effectiveness of drones in measuring Atlantic bluefin tuna, showing they can capture images of individual fish and schools with high accuracy. The use of drones may supplement traditional fishing methods and provide valuable data for fisheries management.
Researchers created a fast, precise and scalable method for individual nano- and submicron scale manipulation in acoustic fields using megahertz frequencies. The technology isolates submicron particles, enabling sorting, patterning and size-selective capture of nanoscale objects.
The James Webb Space Telescope has achieved a significant milestone by being fully folded and stowed into its launch configuration. The observatory will unfold and stretch itself out in space before making groundbreaking observations of the cosmos.
Researchers propose a scheme to realize selective directional coupling of near-field longitudinal waves based on inherent geometric properties and symmetry analysis. The work enables the creation of Janus and Huygens sources, which selectively couple with one side or two sides of the near-field pattern, respectively.
Researchers found that participants synchronized their arm movements with those of the vocalizer, even with subtle and hard-to-detect movements. The study suggests that musculoskeletal tensioning affects speech, allowing for communication cues like excitement to be perceived through gesture-induced acoustics.
Researchers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed virtualized acoustic metamaterials that can be tuned flexibly using software programs. This technology enables a range of applications including broadband stealth, active sound absorption, super-resolution imaging, and beyond.
Researchers analyzed the acoustics of a bursting soap bubble to decipher the origin of the popping sound, finding that forces exerted by the liquid film create the pop. This study demonstrates how sound signatures can be harnessed to measure forces during violent events.
Researchers at ETH Zurich present theoretical and experimental work that provides a higher-level understanding of 'fragile topology' in topological insulators. The discovery could lead to new applications in acoustics, photonics, and beyond.
Dr. Larry Mayer, a renowned expert in physical oceanography and ocean acoustics, has been selected as the first recipient of the Walter Munk Medal. His groundbreaking research and technologies have transformed various fields of ocean science.
A novel noninvasive technique using acoustofluidics analyzes saliva for the presence of human papilloma virus-16 (HPV-16), associated with oropharyngeal cancers. The test detected OPC in 40% of patients tested and 80% of confirmed cases, offering early detection, risk assessment, and screening.
A new device uses acoustic focusing to gather microplastics in water, promising a practical solution to the pollution problem. The device collects particles of different sizes and types with high efficiency, showing promise for future improvements.
A new study by Benoit Tallon and colleagues found that schools of fish scatter sound waves, which affects the evaluation of fish biomass in aquaculture. The research uses mesoscopic physics to estimate the biomass of wild fish schools in their natural environment.
Human screams share specific acoustic characteristics, including higher pitch and roughness, variability in frequency, and a wider range of sound waves. Listeners can readily distinguish screams from other human calls, highlighting the unique properties of this primal human call.
A researcher analyzed the frequency and acoustics of belching while speaking in 'Rick and Morty' to uncover latent linguistic meaning. The study found that burps tend to rumble at a low 300 hertz, jitter 4% more than normal speech, and shimmer 15% more.
Researchers created a functioning 3D-printed ukulele and compared its sound quality to a standard wooden instrument using acoustics. They found that the 3D-printed ukulele produced lower A-weighted sound pressure and exhibited different timbre and frequency characteristics.
The Acoustical Society of America and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health launched a campaign to improve Wikipedia content on sound, acoustics, and hearing topics. The Wiki4YearOfSound2020 platform provides guidance and invites users to edit Wikipedia articles and donate images.
Researchers developed two spectral-based techniques to evaluate cervical tissue changes before labor, improving diagnostic capabilities. The study identified one technique as more effective in detecting these changes.
Humpback whales tend to socialize less in the presence of small fishing boats compared to when there are no vessels present. The noise from boats may be masking their signals, making it difficult for them to communicate and join together.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an effective method to use underwater robotic gliders to measure sound levels over broad areas of the sea. The gliders can conduct repeated surveys of a region, providing real-time measurements of changing noise levels and helping scientists track ocean sound pollution.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that mosquitoes use sound to communicate during mating, which could lead to quieter drones. The study also found that targeting the specific frequency of the sound can disrupt breeding and population growth.
Researchers at UC3M have developed a new type of acoustic insulation that can focus sound energy in corners, potentially leading to breakthroughs in filtering and conducting applications. The innovation uses topological materials to concentrate sound waves, enabling efficient energy harvesting and conversion.
Physicists have discovered a way to convert oscillations into thermal energy, creating ultra-light soundproofing materials that can filter out interfering frequencies. The technology has potential applications in various industries, including architecture, aircraft construction, and automotive engineering.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a new concept that combines light and sound waves in standard silicon chips, achieving delays of tens of nano-seconds without introducing additional materials. This breakthrough enables the selective processing of sound waves, which is difficult for electronics and optics alone.
A new study from Oregon State University found that underwater soundscapes varied widely across four protected marine sites, driven by differences in animal vocalization rates, human activity and weather. The study provides a baseline for these regions and can be used for comparison over time.
Researchers explore ultrasound therapy's effectiveness in treating various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension and arrhythmia. The study highlights the benefits of acoustic intervention, including deep tissue penetration and minimal invasiveness.
A University of Sussex research team has developed a personal sound projector that can track a moving individual and deliver an acoustic message in real-time. The system uses a low-cost camera to focus sound on a target, creating a sphere of sound around 6cm in diameter.
A KAUST research team has developed a computational model of ferrofluid motion, overcoming limitations in previous models. The new model eliminates singularities in the magnetic field, allowing for more robust simulations and accurate predictions of ferrofluid behavior.
Researchers observe acoustic spin in airborne sound waves, leading to new physics and applications for emerging topics in fundamental physics and acoustics. The discovery enables the control of particle rotation with torque and holds promise for acoustic communication.
The new ISO TS 12913 standard provides a framework for identifying optimal dining spaces, including binaural sound recording for immersive evaluation. Restaurants present a challenge due to varying noise levels, but the guidelines address this with psychoacoustics and diner feedback.
A new smartphone app has been developed to detect fluid buildup in the middle ear, a common cause of ear infections in children. The app uses machine learning to analyze sound waves and determine the likelihood of fluid presence, showing promise as a quick and non-invasive screening tool.
Researchers found a surprising similarity between Nigerian drum sounds and the tapping of ripe watermelons. The team used pitch-pattern analysis to measure internal ripeness and quality, achieving an 60% level of efficiency. This innovative method utilizes traditional music elements to aid in everyday decision-making.
Researchers have introduced a new wearable audio dataset with up to 80 microphones, which can simulate different hearing scenarios and improve the performance of devices like smart headphones. The data set is now available for free under an open-access license, making it easier for future researchers to access and build upon.
A French researcher has developed a proof of concept for a smartphone-based shooter location system that uses acoustic analysis to track the origin of gunfire. The system, deployed in TCAPS hearing protection devices, analyzes the supersonic shock wave and muzzle wave generated by bullets to determine the shooter's direction.
Acoustic vehicle alerting systems may improve safety but also increase noise pollution, posing a risk to pedestrians with limited vision. Experts are studying how to design effective alerts while minimizing distractions.
Acoustic researcher Dan Costley presents on WWI's sound ranging method, which pinpointed enemy gun locations to within 10 meters. The technique used innovative solutions like the Tucker microphone and 'harp' galvanometer, credited to Bragg's scientific leadership.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a surprising phenomenon where heavy particles move towards the regions with more vibrations, or antinodes, dubbed "inverse Chladni patterns", allowing for predictable motion control and potential applications in pharmaceutical research and microsystem assembly.
A team of faculty and students are designing innovative technologies to cut noise from supersonic military jets using a 'swirl' technology. By generating rotational motion in the jet exhaust, they aim to reduce noise by three decibels, cutting acoustic power in half.
A team of researchers, led by Sungyoung Kim, is developing a comprehensive method to preserve and reconstruct the 'sound signature' of cultural heritage sites. The project focuses on auralization, which simulates unique acoustical environments in virtual or physical spaces, and aims to provide non-expert humanities researchers with dig...
Researchers created a nano-bot with magnetic 'tweezers' that can position a bead inside a human cell in three dimensions with unprecedented precision. The technology has been used to study cancer cells, showing the nucleus is not equally stiff in all directions and providing new insights for diagnosis.
A comprehensive review of marine mammal noise exposure has yielded new policy recommendations for regulatory agencies worldwide. The panel's report provides guidelines to avoid harm and includes species-specific criteria for noise exposure, based on the latest scientific knowledge.
The researchers created an artificial macroscopic crystal inspired by Japanese baskets, emulating the valley-Hall effect in quantum physics. This led to unexpected properties for acoustics, including incredible resistance against defects and curves.
Researchers at TU Dresden are developing a technical assistance system that allows users to control devices using only tongue movements. The system, called Zungenmaus, aims to maintain everyday skills in patients with sensory and motor function impairments.
Scientists have developed new metasurfaces that can manipulate reflected light and sound waves with high efficiency. These artificial structures use periodic arrangements of meta-atoms to engineer the direction of reflected waves, breaking classical laws of reflection.
UTA faculty Teik C. Lim and L.K. Mestha have been elected as National Academy of Inventors fellows for their prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions. Their work has made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and society.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that coral reefs' soundscape influences coral larvae's choice of settlement, with healthy reefs having more fish sounds attracting larvae. The study suggests using sound to aid in coral reef preservation and potentially rebuild damaged reefs.
Researchers at TU Wien develop a patent-pending technology to create frequency combs on a single chip, enabling chemical analysis in tiny spaces. The system can detect various chemical substances and is robust against disturbances, making it perfect for practical applications.
Some moth species use sound-absorbing scales to evade bats' echolocation. The scales vibrate at resonant frequencies that overlap with bats' biosonar range, creating acoustic camouflage.
Researchers analyzed laughter clips from 44 infants to children aged 3-18 months and found that youngest babies laughed on both inhalation and exhalation, similar to chimpanzees. Older babies primarily laughed on the exhale, as seen in older children and adults.
A team of researchers used real-time MRI to study how beatboxers produce percussion sounds, finding that they can create unique sounds not seen in any language. The study used video signal processing to demystify the mechanics of artistic style and characterized different beatboxing styles.
Researchers found that preschool children (2-5 years old) can recognize sounds heard during naps, even when they're asleep. The study uses EEG and tested individual children in a quiet room, playing nonsense words to assess their auditory processing.
Researchers found that moth fur provides acoustic stealth by reducing echoes of body parts from bat calls. The thorax fur acts as a lightweight porous sound absorber, offering a significant survival advantage against bats.
The Orcasound project has developed a web application that enables citizen scientists to listen to livestreaming audio from hydrophones, complementing computer algorithms in analyzing data. The app aims to bring synergy between human listeners and sophisticated algorithms, saving audio data to online cloud storage for later analysis.
Scientists study bat and dolphin sonar systems to improve man-made active sensing technologies. Bat species use frequency-modulating calls to overcome acoustic interference, whereas dolphins rely on short clicks with minimal overlap.
A study by Angela Cooper and colleagues found that adults have difficulty distinguishing between children's voices, with only about 40% correct identification rate. The researchers used a space alien interactive game to elicit recordings from 2-year-olds and their mothers, which led to the development of new training methods for improv...
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that listeners who heard sentences spoken in a clear style did better on memory recall tasks than those who heard them spoken in a conversational manner. The researchers suggest that clearly produced speech may be an efficient way to convey information and improve retention.
Reducing shipping vessel speed by 10 knots may help alleviate the negative impact of noise pollution on Arctic cod, according to a study. The study found that slowing down cruise ships resulted in more substantial reductions in acoustic masking effects compared to container vessels.