Acoustic Properties
Articles tagged with Acoustic Properties
How effective are torpedo bats, exactly? #ASA190
Whip it good: How Olympic weightlifting relies on a barbell’s ‘whip’ #ASA190
Good vibrations for quantum communications
Scientists have successfully demonstrated atomic spin qubit interaction with a single-quantum sound wave, opening up new possibilities for quantum information storage and sensing applications. The experiment uses phonons to interact with atomic defects in diamond, enabling precise measurement of forces and temperatures.
MIT engineers’ virtual violin produces realistic sounds
The new computational violin simulates the physics of string interaction with air, producing realistic sound. Luthiers can tweak parameters like wood type or body thickness before hearing the instrument's response.
Convergence in the Canopy: Why the Gracixalus weii treefrog sounds like a songbird
Researchers found that Gracixalus weii treefrog's call is similar to a bird-like chirp of the Black-Breasted Thrush, highlighting the evolution of acoustic symbols in amphibians influenced by ecological interactions with birds. This phenomenon provides a reliable alternative to morphological or molecular diagnosis for cryptic species
Phonon lasers unlock ultrabroadband acoustic frequency combs
Researchers have developed a new way to generate acoustic frequency combs using phonon lasers, producing tunable comb teeth spanning from audible to ultrasonic frequencies. The breakthrough enables the creation of ultrabroadband acoustic frequency combs with thousands of evenly spaced frequencies.
These caterpillars can hear using tiny hairs on their bodies
Researchers at Binghamton University discovered that caterpillars can hear airborne sounds via microscopic hairs on their bodies. The study found that the caterpillars were 10 to 100 times more responsive to airborne sound than surface vibrations felt on their feet, suggesting a new approach for improving microphone technology.
Evaluating building materials for climate impact and noise suppression
A new study assesses various wall and floor types for their climate impact and acoustic performance, finding that timber outperforms standard steel studs in terms of climate friendliness. The research also highlights the importance of considering both acoustic comfort and environmental sustainability when designing buildings.
To bop or to sway? The music will tell you
A study by Shimpei Ikegami found that vertical 'bop' music is characterized by clearer beats and percussive sounds, while horizontal 'sway' music is smoother with less percussion. Listeners' directional dancing inclinations matched the musicians' intended expressions.
Re-creating the sounds of an underground city #ASA188
Researchers at Istanbul Galata University studied the history and architecture of Derinkuyu's ancient underground city to recreate its soundscape. The project aims to provide valuable information for scholars and inspire the design of future underground urban spaces.
POSTECH unveils world’s first dynamic shape-morphing OLED panel with built-in speaker — all while maintaining ultra-thin flexibility
The POSTECH research team developed a smartphone-type OLED panel that can transform its shape while functioning as a speaker, maintaining ultra-thin flexibility. The panel uses electrically driven piezoelectric polymer actuators to achieve complex forms without mechanical hinges or motors.
Safeguarding coffee grinders from hidden stones
A team of researchers developed an innovative acoustic method to detect hidden stones in coffee beans, preventing damage to grinding machines. The system uses empirical mode decomposition and field programmable gate arrays to identify stone presence with near-perfect accuracy.
NJIT mathematician to help map Earth's last frontier with Navy grant
Eliza Michalopoulou is leading a research project to improve ocean floor mapping using sound waves, aiming to understand the seabed's properties and characteristics. The goal is to enhance anti-submarine warfare strategies and contribute to global efforts like Seabed 2030 and Ocean Decade.
Automatic speech recognition on par with humans in noisy conditions
Researchers found that humans still outperform ASR systems in noisy environments, but Whisper large-v3 matched human performance in all tested conditions except naturalistic pub noise. The system's ability to process acoustic properties and map them to the intended message was impressive.
A stiff material that stops vibrations and noise
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a material that combines stiffness and damping properties, making it suitable for various applications. The new composite material features layers of stiff materials connected by ultra-thin rubber-like layers, resulting in excellent vibration-damping performance.
Small adaptation helps lemurs make a big noise
Researchers discovered lemurs possess an additional pair of vocal folds, which they believe is responsible for enriching their vocal repertoire and allowing them to exaggerate their size. This adaptation may have provided a selective advantage in competition for territory or mates.
Intelligent liquid
The new metafluid can transition between Newtonian and non-Newtonian states, allowing for programmable viscosity and compressibility. The researchers demonstrated the fluid's capabilities in a hydraulic robotic gripper, picking up objects of varying weights without crushing them.
Tiny wireless light bulbs for biomedical applications
Researchers have created tiny wireless light sources that could enable minimally invasive treatments for diseases. The devices combine organic light-emitting diodes with acoustic antennas to provide a compact, frequency-tuned power source for biomedical applications.
Researchers fear the spoken ‘r’ is ready to roll away from the last bastion of rhoticity
Researchers at Lancaster University find that the 'r' sound is becoming weaker in England, with most young speakers softening it to an elongation of the vowel. This decline is predicted to continue, potentially erasing traditional dialects and linguistic homogenization.
Picking up good vibrations: The surprising physics of the didjeridu #Acoustics23
Researchers Joe Wolfe and John Smith studied the didjeridu's performance techniques, finding that a player's vocal tract plays a significant role in producing unique sounds. By analyzing acoustic impedance spectra, they identified traits of expertly played didjeridus and explored advanced techniques used by musicians.
Singing in the rain: Why the bundengan sounds better wet #Acoustics23
Researchers found that the key to bundengan sound quality is in its bamboo culm sheaths, which change shape when wet and vibrate together. The instrument's performance is improved when played in the rain, providing a unique acoustic experience.
Teaching physics from the din of flying discs #Acoustics23
Researchers created a unique dataset from flying discs, enabling students to learn basic signal processing tools and data visualization techniques. The experiment uses Doppler shift to determine velocity, providing valuable insights into acoustics.
New laser setup probes metamaterial structures with ultrafast pulses
Engineers at MIT have developed a new laser-based technique to probe metamaterial structures with ultrafast pulses, enabling the dynamic characterization of microscale metamaterials. The LIRAS system excites and measures vibrations in hundreds of miniature structures within minutes, accelerating the discovery of optimal materials for a...
New imaging technique measures elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously
A new imaging technique, multifocal acoustic radiation force-based reverberant optical coherence elastography (RevOCE), has been developed to measure the elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously. This approach offers high resolution measurements of the stiffness of eye structures and could revolutionize how we study ocular ...
UArizona scientists investigate new frontiers of sound with $30M center
Researchers will investigate topological acoustics to improve computing speeds, reduce power usage in smartphones, and enhance sensing capabilities. The new center aims to harness the full power of acoustic waves to reveal extraordinary properties of sound.
Acoustics researchers decompose sound accurately into its three basic components
Acoustics researchers have decomposed sound into its three basic components, whistles, clicks, and hisses, using ideas from auditory perception, fuzzy logic, and perfect reconstruction. The new method emerges as the winning way to decompose most sounds in a listening test.
A cocktail party of 3D-printed robot heads #ASA184
Researchers created 3D-printed talking heads to simulate conversations and assess acoustic properties. The project aims to improve human hearing algorithms and develop more realistic listening experiences.
Knowing we like a song takes only seconds of listening, new psychology research finds
A study by NYU researchers found that music excerpts can accurately predict listeners' preferences for entire songs, regardless of clip length. The results suggest that the general vibe of a song is more important than its individual notes in evoking emotions in listeners.
A new spin on bouncing sound waves
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.
Learning from animal evolution to reproduce materials for vibration damping and acoustic wave control
Scientists review natural structures with exceptional properties, such as wood, bones, spider webs, and sea sponges. These hierarchical structures can be used to design innovative materials for vibration damping and acoustic wave control.
Seven major studies launched that will help us understand the economic benefits of biodiversity
The studies will provide evidence for a new global approach to valuing natural habitats and evaluate biodiversity in marine and urban areas. They aim to deliver on the recommendations from the Government's Dasgupta Review and support nature recovery and halt biodiversity loss.
Using sound to model the world
Researchers at MIT have developed a machine-learning model that captures how sounds propagate through spaces, allowing for accurate visual renderings of rooms. This technique has potential applications in virtual and augmented reality, as well as improving AI agents' understanding of their environment.
New research tunes theory of sound levitation
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have extended the theory of acoustic levitation to account for asymmetrical particles, which is more applicable to real-world experience. This new understanding enables precise control and sorting of tiny objects using ultrasonic waves.
Navigating the shallows
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.
The Rule of Two helps make spaces sound better
The Rule of Two method uses multiple measurements to collect reliable data, overcoming the limitations of single sine sweep techniques. This new approach will make it easier and faster to design rooms with optimal acoustic combinations, leading to better sound quality in various spaces.
Seeing below the surface of bimetallic nanoparticles
Researchers from Osaka University report a new technique for tracking the synthesis of core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles in real time, allowing for fine-tuning of nanomaterial preparation. The technique uses a piezoelectric resonator to monitor particle shape changes and track interdiffusion of metals.
Balancing sustainability, safety and comfort in engineered floor slabs
A team of researchers from Penn State has developed a method to optimize acoustic and structural properties of concrete floor slabs. The study found that shaped structures can improve sound insulation performance while reducing embodied carbon emissions.
CityU physicists discovered special transverse sound wave
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.
Not silent yet; the shifting sounds of spring
A new study reveals that spring soundscape acoustic diversity and intensity are declining due to changes in bird communities. The research suggests that reductions in natural soundscapes may be the primary mechanism through which population declines impact humans.
Cylindrical phononic crystals sense physical, chemical properties of transported liquids
Researchers designed a tubular phononic crystal to sense biochemical and physical properties of liquids. The device demonstrates sensitivity to liquid density and speed of sound, making it suitable for sensing applications.
Columbia Engineering researchers use acoustic voxels to embed sound with data
Researchers have developed a method to control sound waves using acoustic voxels, small hollow cube-shaped chambers that can modify acoustic filtering properties. This enables the creation of unique acoustic signatures for objects, potentially replacing QR codes and RFID tags.
The emerging science of human screams
Researchers found that human screams occupy a reserved chunk of the auditory spectrum and activate a range of acoustic information. Screams have a property called roughness, which refers to how fast a sound changes in loudness, making them more terrifying.
Uncovering liquid foam's bubbly acoustics
Researchers discovered liquid foams have low effective sound velocities, ranging from 20 to 60 meters per second, lower than its constituents. The type of foaming solution influences acoustic properties, with shaving foam showing a higher effective sound velocity.
Dissecting dyslexia: Linking reading to voice recognition
Research reveals individuals with dyslexia struggle to recognize voices speaking their native language due to phonological impairment. The study's findings suggest that the underlying deficit in dyslexia is linked to difficulty processing spoken language sounds, not reading per se.
Singing in the rainforest: Public vs. private signaling by a tropical rainforest bird
Researchers found that a tropical rainforest bird uses different song features to signal species identity and individual information, tailored to the environment's acoustic properties. The study suggests efficient local communication networks are established in the habitat.