Articles tagged with Acoustics
The study successfully demonstrated a towed array that measures its own depth and curvature while listening, enabling accurate wave and sound monitoring. The array's distributed acoustic sensing section accurately retrieved significant wave height, while its beamforming capabilities tracked a distant source with high precision.
Researchers at Keio University analyzed vocal attributes and acoustic features associated with higher scores in classical singing competitions. Vocal attributes such as vibrato, resonance, and expressiveness were linked to higher scores, while timbre, diction, and intonation showed no clear link.
A metalens photoacoustic microscope can switch focus with voltage, enabling deeper imaging of biological structures. The system achieves an axial imaging range of approximately 1.2 mm and high spatial resolutions for visualizing microscopic vascular structures.
Researchers have developed a metamaterial that combines stiffness, electromagnetic absorption, and noise reduction, inspired by the intricate scales of lepidopteran insects. The material, just 24mm thick, can support heavy loads, absorb microwave signals, and silence low-frequency noise, solving a long-standing trade-off in flight mate...
Researchers developed a biometric authentication technology that can identify users without storing fingerprint information. The system uses metasurface-driven loop-diffractive neural networks to process fingerprint information without reconstructing images or extracting features.
Researchers successfully trapped objects in midair using a zero-order Bessel beam, achieving stable levitation at distances up to 40 cm. The technique enables long-range, non-contact manipulation in open environments, with applications in automated experimentation and three-dimensional displays.
A new study reveals that female Ormia ochracea flies evaluate cricket songs based on multiple temporal features, including sound pulses and pauses. The flies recognize relevant songs based on combinations of these features, rather than just pulse rate, and use this information to find a suitable host for their developing offspring.
Researchers found that sharks can detect low-frequency sounds from considerable distances and respond by dramatically changing direction away from the source. They detected sounds from up to 243 feet away and were more sensitive to lower frequencies.
Researchers developed a new method for creating safer plastics using porous ZIF-67 materials, which can improve polymer fire safety and reduce heat release during fires. The study found that combining ZIF-67 with different flame-retardant systems creates synergistic systems that provide improved protection.
Researchers at Stanford University have documented the first direct observation of quantum jumps of sound in a mechanical resonator, a long-anticipated breakthrough. The study's findings have the potential to advance quantum computing, sensing, and everyday technologies.
Researchers used human toddlers' vocalizations to investigate AI's limitations in deciphering animal communication, finding that AI models failed to classify vocalizations according to their meaning. The study suggests that combining AI tools with behavioral observations and other methods is needed to truly decipher animal communication.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology have developed a speaker system that can deliver sound to a single listener, using dual-domain metamaterials and a compact ultrasonic transducer. The system achieves highly directional audio generation, focusing sound at the front and blocking parasitic noise at the back.
Researchers created a 3D model of the upper airway to study snoring, finding that unsteady airflow across soft tissues produces the loudest sounds. Reducing soft palate vibration may help reduce palatal snoring, suggesting potential solutions for anti-snoring treatments.
Dolphins use acoustic cues to navigate and find food, with whistles associated with social behavior and echolocation linked to sound-producing fish. The study reveals distinct patterns in dolphin communication, suggesting dolphins favor different habitats for socializing and hunting.
Researchers from Duksung Women's University and University of Zurich found that adults increase formant frequencies when speaking with aegyo, suggesting a shorter vocal tract. This phenomenon may signal childlike qualities and elicit a protective response from others.
Researchers have developed a numerical model that explains how increasing ultrasonic power reduces chemical reaction rates in sonochemistry. The model shows that oscillating bubbles emit their own sound waves, generating unwanted noise that distorts the ultrasonic field and limits reaction efficiency.
Researchers found specific song themes tied to specific parts of a dive, revealing insights into how singing affects energy use, oxygen management and vulnerability. The study's findings offer practical applications for tracking whale populations and establishing a clearer baseline for normal humpback behavior.
Researchers developed a method to modify vehicle sounds using auditory augmented reality, which can draw pedestrian attention without loud warnings. By artificially increasing the frequency of approaching vehicle sounds, participants judged the vehicle as moving faster and closer.
A Korean research team created an underwater acoustic lens capable of focusing sound precisely at a desired point while reducing weight by about 40% compared to conventional designs. The findings have significant implications for underwater communication, marine environmental monitoring, and acoustic energy transfer.
Researchers developed a unified theoretical framework for ultrasound wave propagation and energy dissipation in porous rock formations. The study identifies three distinct longitudinal-wave types with different physical origins, providing a basis for understanding and predicting ultrasonic wave behavior in multiphase porous media.
The Bird Sonic system is being used to prevent bird strikes at Narita International Airport and nine other Japanese airports. The system uses high-frequency sound to deter birds from approaching aircraft, reducing the risk of collisions and accidents.
Researchers have developed a soft, custom-molded acoustic contact lens that actively corrects outgoing sound waves before they pass through an autonomous drone's protective shell. The lens boosts sonar signal strength by up to 10 decibels while cutting background reverberation without draining extra battery power.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework to detect and classify shell-crushing sounds, enabling the quantification of predator impacts on mollusk populations. The system uses multi-step approaches and demonstrates strong performance in controlled tank conditions and field settings.
A team of researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted a study on 28 individuals who experience an unexplained buzzing or humming sound. The investigation tested two hypotheses: measuring the sound waves from human-made infrastructure and industry, as well as those produced by nature itself.
A team of researchers at Penn State designed a system that can manipulate sound waves to produce high-quality audio in a precise, private area. The 3D-printed speaker cover uses acoustic metasurfaces to focus sound into a tight 'bubble' that is only audible within a small space.
Researchers developed a new analysis of sound wave behavior, revealing surprising effects that have been overlooked for decades. At high sound levels, the shape of the wave becomes progressively distorted, with crests compressing into narrow spikes.
Researchers have captured the behavior of scissor-tailed nightjars creating a unique sound by snapping their wrists together during courtship and copulation. The study sheds light on lesser-known bird communication methods and raises questions about the nuances of mechanical sounds.
Physical exertion impacts breathing coordination with speaking, altering vocal characteristics like pitch, intensity and pause structure. This changes induce measurable effects on speech recognition systems used by emergency responders and wearable devices.
Researchers study vocal fry and find low pitch is the key marker for creaky voice, contradicting popular belief that it's a hallmark of young women's speech. The study reveals social biases, not biological differences, are driving the perception of vocal fry.
Research finds that textured walls can improve speech clarity for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by controlling sound travel. The study developed a patterned wall design that can be tailored to different room shapes and sizes using 3D printing, offering personalized acoustic performance.
Researchers at Acoustical Society of America identified hickory wood as the best alternative to expensive Honduran rosewood for making marimbas. Hickory wood has a similar acoustical response to rosewood and is significantly less expensive, making it an affordable option for schools and students.
Researchers studied barbell vibrations and found that the difference in sleeves has a larger effect than material on a lifter's performance. The study aims to answer questions about the impact of the barbell on lifting performance.
Acoustic analysis by Dan Russell from Pennsylvania State University shows that the torpedo bat shape affects the location of the sweet spot and how it feels, potentially impacting batted-ball speeds. Preliminary research suggests a possible advantage in extra miles per hour, but further testing is needed to confirm.
Research highlights sex-dependent auditory variability, with men showing an earlier decline and women experiencing regular monthly changes. The study aims to improve diagnosis and care for hearing loss by recognizing biological differences between the sexes.
Researchers studied the impact of Capitola, California's annual firework show on local brown bat populations, finding that the noise and lights disrupted their feeding patterns. The study revealed a measurable effect on bats' ability to hunt and catch prey during the display.
Photoacoustic imaging uses lasers to reveal hidden blood vessels and nerve bundles, guiding surgeons for fewer complications. The technique enables real-time augmented reality video feeds during laparoscopic surgeries.
Researchers developed a mechanical prototype to demonstrate their bio-inspired sensor's ability to enhance vibration signals without amplification circuits or signal processing. The design aims to benefit acoustic and vibration sensors that need to detect very weak signals, such as microphones or biomedical sensors.
Researchers found that caregivers play a significant role in helping infants learn complex vocalizations, similar to how zebra finches use social feedback to teach their young. The study suggests that both humans and zebra finches rely on social environment to guide low-level temporal foundations of their vocal communication.
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.
Scientists found that the brain adapts to noise-induced damage within 24 hours by increasing excitability and inhibitory inputs in the superior paraolivary nucleus. This enables the restoration of critical timing information for sound processing, despite diminished sensitivity to quieter 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.
Researchers developed meta-earplugs with Helmholtz resonators to address low-frequency sound issues. The earplugs use precise tuning of reflected sound waves to relieve pressure and increase protection.
A new acoustic device, PAL Wideband pinger, has been found to reduce harbour porpoise bycatch in the Black Sea by approximately 74%. The device's wider frequency band (10-150 kHz) is believed to contribute to its effectiveness. Effective strategies to reduce bycatch are urgently needed for the critically endangered species.
A new study by UNSW researchers shows how a neural network can detect blue whale songs with remarkable accuracy, using only one recording of a blue whale call. The model performed well on real-world recordings, even those that were not part of the training data.
MIT researchers found plants respond to sound waves generated by raindrops, stimulating germination. Seeds exposed to rain sounds germinated 30-40% faster than those not exposed.
Researchers analyzed a Virginia colony of wild gray bats, finding they modify their echolocation calls based on the size of their flying group and environmental obstacles. The study reveals how these adjustments help the bats navigate safely during flight.
Researchers found AI voice clones to be up to 20% more intelligible than humans in various testing scenarios, including noise, age, and accent. This breakthrough raises questions about the potential applications of voice cloning technology.
A new study suggests that many animal communication signals, including those from insects, birds, mammals, and fish, repeat at nearly the same tempo of 2 hertz. This common tempo may reflect a shared biological constraint, enabling brains to detect signals more easily and process communication more efficiently.
The Salk Institute will lead an ARPA-H-funded project to develop ultrasound-sensitive protein tools, wearable ultrasound delivery technology, and a translational path to the clinic for major unmet medical needs. The team aims to create a noninvasive therapy for conditions such as peripheral neuropathy.
Researchers at Cornell University developed WatchHand, a wearable technology that equips smartwatches with AI-powered micro sonar to track hand poses in real time. The system uses existing microphone and speaker on standard smartwatches, allowing for continuous tracking without bulky hardware.
Researchers have created a carbon-fiber composite that swallows sound waves while retaining the strength of industrial load-bearing panels. The design achieves an average sound absorption coefficient of over 0.9 across a frequency range of 1,500 to 5,500 hertz.
Researchers found that closing eyes impairs hearing in noisy environments, while visual engagement improves sensitivity. Visual engagement helps anchor the auditory system to the external world.
Parasites alter male calls, creating a complex pattern that can change how females evaluate potential partners. Females prefer lower-frequency calls, but also weigh the risk of parasite infection, making mate choice a nuanced decision.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
Researchers developed a digital safeguard, My Music My Choice, to protect songs from generative AI cloning. The tool adds imperceptible changes to a song's waveform, making it difficult for AI models to replicate.
Researchers found that the visual design of a concert hall significantly affects perceived timbre, with more saturated colors producing colder sounds. Listeners also reported higher liking scores in darker environments, highlighting the importance of considering visual appearance in acoustic design.
Researchers uncover novel mechanism of sound production in boxfishes, highlighting evolutionary transition from mute to vocal species. A comparative anatomical analysis reveals absence of sound mechanism in related Aracanidae family, supporting importance of acoustic communication in fish evolution.
Researchers evaluated the hearing sensitivity of Kemp's ridley sea turtles, finding they are most sensitive to low-frequency sounds produced by ships and machinery. This understanding will inform efforts to monitor and mitigate noise impacts on these endangered species.
Researchers developed an EEG-based system to decode pleasure from listener's brain activity and suggest personalized playlists. The system outperformed 'acoustics-only' methods, capturing neural markers of pleasure with high accuracy.
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.