Articles tagged with Sonar
A team of aerospace engineers and biologists built a custom 'Bat Accelerator Machine' to test the theory that bats exploit acoustic flow velocity to navigate complex habitats. The findings suggest that bats use Doppler-based acoustic flow for speed control and may rely on this mechanism for navigation.
Researchers have developed a new acoustic wave-producing technology on an electronic chip, enabling customizable curved waves for trapping objects, routing wave information, and transporting fluids. This innovation has significant potential in medical applications, such as noninvasive surgery and biosensors.
Mizzou researchers have discovered a way to 'listen' to molecules moving faster than the speed of sound, using photoacoustic spectroscopy. This technique could help unravel mysteries of astrochemistry and offer clues about the universe's composition, star formation, and life origins.
The Greater Mouse-Tailed Bat uses its long tail as a dynamic sensing tool to avoid obstacles and orient itself in complex environments, especially when vision and echolocation are limited. The study found that the bats' ability to navigate decreased significantly when their tail was numbed.
Bats solve the 'cocktail party' problem of jammed echoes by changing echolocation frequency and dispersing from dense groups. This strategy helps them gain detailed information about near neighbors and avoid collisions, allowing them to successfully maneuver in crowded environments.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University demonstrated that bats can navigate great distances in open areas with their eyes closed, using only echolocation. The study found that bats create an acoustic map of their environment, relying on distinct echoes to guide their flight paths.
A team of researchers has directly measured the behavioral responses of dolphins to military sonar, finding that they are sensitive to sound levels orders of magnitude lower than previously predicted. The study reveals unexpected behaviors, including fine-scale changes in movement and changes in group configurations.
A new study by Duke University finds that deep-diving whales confuse plastic debris with prey items, as its acoustic signature mimics squid. Researchers tested various types of plastic trash and found strong similarities in their acoustic signals compared to whale prey, highlighting the need for more sustainable materials.
Research published in New Phytologist reveals that long stems on flowers provide an evolutionary advantage for bat pollination. In complex backgrounds, bats take nearly twice as much time to locate short-stemmed flowers, indicating the importance of visible floral cues for successful pollination.
Piezoelectric materials are used in sonar and ultrasound applications, but can deteriorate due to heat and pressure. Researchers have developed a technique to depole and repole these materials at room temperature, allowing for easier repair and paving the way for new ultrasound technologies.
A research team deployed an unmanned submersible to map the underside of a floating ice shelf in Antarctica, revealing high melt rates and unique patterns. The findings raise questions about current models for predicting sea level rise.
Researchers found that tiger beetles respond to bat echolocation by producing their own ultrasonic signal, which they believe is a defense mechanism. The beetles' defensive chemicals are not effective at deterring bats, but the sound itself may be used to trick bats into thinking they are noxious.
Researchers found that human-made noise reduces whales' ability to hear acoustic communication, generates an avoidance response, and lowers detection of environmental cues. This can lead to increased journey time or failure to arrive at destinations.
New research at Hokkaido University reveals that acoustic fat bodies in toothed whales were once jaw muscles and bone marrow. The findings suggest an evolutionary tradeoff between auditory and feeding ecology, leading to the loss of chewing muscles and adaptation to echolocation.
Researchers develop AI-based system to track small metallic objects in Low Earth Orbit, outperforming classical detection methods. The system's high detection rate and low false alarm rates make it suitable for proactive decision-making and intervention strategies.
Researchers studied the acoustic features Japanese horseshoe bats sense when perceiving moving objects, finding that Doppler shifts, not echo delays, act as a cue. This discovery deepens our understanding of acoustic sensing in nature and has potential applications for next-generation ultrasonic sensors.
Scientists have discovered that the bat brainstem processes echolocation and communication calls differently, with a stronger response to less frequent calls due to better neural synchronization. The findings may also be relevant to medical applications in humans, such as understanding diseases like ADHD or schizophrenia.
Researchers developed smart glasses with an acoustic touch feature similar to human echolocation. The technology enables blind or low-visioned individuals to recognize and reach objects.
Researchers developed 'acoustic touch' smart glasses that translate visual information into distinct sound icons, enhancing the ability of blind or low-vision individuals to navigate their surroundings. The technology significantly improved object recognition and reaching abilities, empowering independence and quality of life.
A nearly intact fossilized bat skull discovered in a 50-million-year-old cave has provided crucial insights into the evolution of bats and their use of echolocation. The find, part of an analysis published in Current Biology, suggests that early bats may have used a form of echolocation similar to that employed by modern species.
A new study at Tel Aviv University found that older bats do indeed suffer from age-related hearing loss, but at a relatively slow rate compared to humans. The researchers believe that bats have developed special adaptations to cope with their noisy environment, which could provide insights into human hearing loss.
Researchers found that bats lose their hearing in old age due to exposure to high noise levels in their colonies. The study suggests that bats may have evolved adaptations to cope with these noisy environments, which could provide insights into human age-related hearing loss.
A study published in Current Biology found that dolphins 'shout' over loud underwater noise to complete a cooperative task, but their success rate decreases as noise levels increase. The researchers observed changes in dolphin body language and vocalization patterns in response to the increasing noise.
Researchers at KAUST have developed acoustic tweezers that use spinning sound waves to manipulate ultrasmall objects with precision. This technology has the potential to enable precise control of submillimeter objects in opaque media, such as soft biological tissues.
Researchers found a close correspondence between bat species' wing shapes and their echolocation vocalizations, with both linked to foraging ecology. The study reveals distinct 'foraging syndromes' that have evolved repeatedly in each family, matching optimal evolutionary solutions for different habitats.
Researchers studied the larynx of Daubenton's bats and found that different structures are used for high-frequency echolocation calls and lower-frequency social calls. The study reveals that bat vocalizations can be compared to death metal growls, highlighting the animals' unique ability to produce a wide range of sounds.
Researchers at Bangor University used multibeam sonar to positively identify the SS Mesaba, a merchant ship that sent an iceberg warning to the Titanic in 1912. The wreck was found in the Irish Sea, revealing new information about this infamous maritime event.
Researchers have developed a novel computational imaging framework, Compact Light-field Photography (CLIP), allowing the camera system to acquire wide and deep panoramic views. The technology enables the detection of hidden objects around occlusions and has potential applications in autonomous vehicles and medical imaging.
A team of researchers from the University of Tsukuba has developed a new approach for accurate underwater acoustic positioning in multipath environments. By using a database of signals and selectively removing reflected waves, they achieve centimeter-scale accuracy in object location, even in shallow waters.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new algorithm for autonomous underwater sonar imaging that significantly improves speed and accuracy for identifying objects such as explosive mines and sunken ships. The new approach, called informative multi-view planning, integrates information about object locations with sonar proc...
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology developed an underwater robot capable of mapping its environment, tracking its location, and planning safe routes in complex marine environments. The breakthrough enabled the robot to accurately map a busy harbor in real-time using active SLAM algorithms.
Researchers found that fruit bats use echolocation during the day despite having excellent vision, suggesting a combination of both senses for enhanced navigation. This study highlights the importance of integrating different senses, like humans using visual and auditory information when crossing streets.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt recorded brain waves of bats to understand how they filter out essential signals from echolocation calls and communication signals. The study shows that rare sounds elicit stronger neuronal responses than frequent ones.
A new study reveals anatomic differences in the inner ear structures of two major bat groups, influencing the evolution of diverse echolocation and foraging forms. The absence of Rosenthal's canal in Yangochiropterans allowed for unique behavioral adaptations.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have discovered a new type of sound wave that vibrates transversely and carries both spin and orbital angular momentum like light. This finding provides new degrees of freedom for sound manipulations, enabling unprecedented acoustic communications and sensing capabilities.
Bats build prediction models of prey movement by analyzing echoes of their own vocalizations. This acoustic information facilitates navigation and foraging in total darkness. By integrating representations of prey echoes, bats can determine distance, size, shape, and density, as well as identify what they are tracking.
A new study shows toothed whales rapidly adjust their echolocation behaviour to track fast-moving prey, with response times comparable to visual predators. The findings provide insights into how these unique animals hunt and may aid conservation efforts.
Researchers developed an attention-based deep neural network to detect multiple ship targets, exceeding conventional networks' performance. The model focused on inherent features of the two ships simultaneously, outperforming traditional approaches.
A new study from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center found that actively restoring oyster reefs can create healthier habitats than simply protecting them. The study used underwater videos to rate habitats and found that restored reefs earned the highest scores for oyster habitat, with 74% receiving a top ranking.
A 10-week training program showed that both sighted and blind participants improved on echolocation tasks, with some even performing better than expert echolocators. The study's findings suggest that click-based echolocation can be a valuable tool for people with vision loss or progressive degenerative eye conditions.
Volunteers in a Central Oregon bat survey detected 25 Euderma maculatum bats in a 24,000-square-kilometer area, filling gaps in basic information about species abundance and distribution. The study's design suggests its potential for scaling up to larger areas, aiding conservation efforts.
Researchers found bats map the world in units of time, perceiving insects as nine milliseconds away, not meters. This constant sense allows bats to orient themselves without calculating distance based on sound speed.
Scientists successfully adapted echolocation techniques from bats to human echolocation, enabling people to identify rotating targets. The method leverages time-varying echo information to decode target geometry and improve accuracy.
Researchers observed wrinkle-faced bats displaying unique courtship behavior, including ultrasonic echolocation calls and trill song sequences. The species' face masks were found to be crucial in attracting females, with males using them to seduce potential mates.
Bats must find a compromise between energy consumption and efficient echolocation, as louder calls increase energy expenditure. High-intensity echolocation calls are costly and require significant additional muscle activity, particularly above 130 dB.
In cluttered environments, bats use lowest broadcast frequencies to detect nearby objects and ignore distant echoes. By ignoring long-delay echoes elicited by initial broadcasts, bats can accurately match echoes with corresponding broadcasts.
A recent study by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientists found that search-phase echolocation calls contain information about a bat's identity, allowing them to distinguish between group members. This discovery could mean these calls serve a double function: aiding prey detection and conveying individual identities.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm using Probabilistic Generative Modelling to classify underwater environments from simulated sonar measurements. The technique achieved an average accuracy of 93% and has potential applications for climate change monitoring and sustainability of human activities in fragile environments.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt studied brain activity in Seba's short-tailed bats to understand how the brain controls vocalization. They identified a group of nerve cells creating a circuitry from the frontal lobe to the corpus striatum, which fires off rhythmic signals predicting echolocation or communication sounds.
Researchers discovered that moth thorax scales can absorb and reduce sound energy, evading bats' echolocation. This innovative defense strategy increases moth survival chances.
Researchers found that corrugated pipes can interfere with bat echolocation, causing them to become disoriented and abandon roosts. In a study, bats successfully navigated through tunnels with smooth pipes but struggled with those containing raised rings, leading to the conclusion that such spaces create significant difficulties for bats.
Researchers analyzed genes expressed in bat cochleae to understand the origin and evolution of high-frequency hearing. They identified 34 genes involved in hearing or auditory perception with evidence for positive selection in echolocating species.
Research reveals sand mining on the Mekong River is causing significant erosion, with riverbanks collapsing when lowered by just two meters. Excessive sand mining poses environmental and social risks, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations to protect communities.
Researchers have developed bioinspired shapes that serve as acoustically conspicuous guideposts for sonar-guided autonomous vehicles. These bioinspired sonar reflectors were tested in experiments and showed promising results, enabling robots to navigate through new environments with improved accuracy.
Researchers used 3-D simulations to study how bats detect insect swarms, finding that small insects like mosquitoes become perceivable in large groups. The study's findings could provide insights into the evolution of bat echolocation and have potential applications for defense systems.
Researchers discovered small insects like mosquitoes become visible to bats in large swarms due to Quasi Constant Frequency signals. This finding sheds light on the evolution of bat echolocation and its potential applications for detecting drone swarms.
Bats employ a range of hunting strategies, from echolocation in open spaces to listening for prey sounds in enclosed areas. They also utilize eavesdropping on prey communication and social interactions to locate prey and minimize search effort.
Scientists create a physical model of porpoise echolocation using hybrid metamaterials, which improves detection accuracy and suppresses environment noise. This breakthrough bridges the gap between biosonar and artificial systems, paving the way for bioinspired technology in underwater sensing and nondestructive testing.
Researchers found that bats can distinguish insect from leaf by approaching at optimal angles, exploiting echo reflection on leaves. The study has implications for predator-prey interactions and echolocation.
A recent study using sonar surveys found that tidewater glaciers in Alaska are melting underwater at unprecedented rates, contradicting previous estimates. The research suggests that these glaciers may be experiencing 'hotter water' conditions than previously thought.