Articles tagged with Acoustics
A new study has identified several commonalities and diversity in sleep music, including quieter and slower tempos, more acoustic instruments, and a range of energetic levels. Despite these trends, popular sleep playlists on Spotify include faster and louder tracks that may aid relaxation for some people.
Seal pups possess an innate ability to change their voice pitch and volume, as well as recognize and respond to rhythmic sounds. This study suggests a possible evolutionary link between human-like language abilities and vocal plasticity in seals.
Researchers used hydrophones to monitor two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, finding that they produce subtle sounds near the low end of human hearing range. Characterizing these sounds can help predict and prevent environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.
An experimental music piece by Alvin Lucier can be used to reveal details of the surrounding room and teach important lessons about acoustic resonance. Students can analyze the frequencies that make up the recording to determine which frequencies are resonances of the room, and then calculate the distance between pairs of walls.
Researchers have developed a text-to-audio model that can generate coherent and relevant music and sound from text, opening up new avenues for creative application and exploration. The model employed data compression methods to improve output quality and reduce training time.
Acoustic engineers use techniques like impulse responses to reproduce dialogue and other sounds in film. This process creates a believable audio experience for viewers, drawing them into the story. By carefully balancing dialogue, effects, and music, sound mixers achieve cinematic magic.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to detect pressure activity indicative of dust devils in the Mojave Desert, which can inform their formation and life cycles on Mars. The study aims to improve Martian weather models and enhance robotic missions.
A team of researchers created 3D-printed violins using modern materials and techniques, producing a darker, more mellow sound. The project aims to make music education accessible through the printing of affordable instruments.
Blackbird Studio C's ambient-anechoic portmanteau, ambichoic, reduces sound reflections, creating a balanced and immersive space for musicians and engineers. The studio's unique design utilizes primitive root diffusers to diffuse sound energy, resulting in a comfortable and engaging environment.
NASA will conduct a series of flights over various communities to test its Quesst Mission Supersonic STEM Toolkit and measure sound levels. The mission hopes to inform an overland supersonic sound standard, potentially cutting flight times in half.
A team of researchers conducted laboratory experiments and online surveys to study the perceived annoyance of impact sounds. They found that thudding sounds created by people walking barefoot are not captured by current standardized performance metrics, which may lead to improved guidance for architects and building code developers.
Researchers developed a machine learning algorithm to identify cough sounds and determine if someone has pneumonia, aided by room impulse responses. The algorithm can work in any environment, facilitating non-face-to-face treatment and reducing medical costs.
The Lombard effect is a cycle where individuals speak louder to be heard over background noise, increasing overall din. Researchers propose technology solutions and design changes to minimize the effect, such as individualized conversations via smart earbuds or altering wall absorption in spaces.
Researchers developed a noninvasive microphone sensor that uses machine learning to detect bowel diseases like cholera. The algorithm analyzes audio data from toilet sounds, identifying consistent tones for urination and singular tones for defecation.
A new app uses customized playlists to console, relax, and uplift users, aiming to improve emotional states. The app's creators found that relaxing and uplifting methods can significantly move listeners from negative to more positive emotional states.
Great gray owls have a broad disc-like face that acts as radar to find food, while their facial features help correct for sonic distortions caused by snow. The owls' ability to hover above prey allows them to pinpoint location and avoid acoustic mirages created by the snow.
Eastern red bats, now the most commonly detected bat in Midwestern forests, have a significant impact on tree regeneration due to their appetite for insect-damaging bugs. Forest managers can benefit from considering these bats' landscape preferences, particularly ponds and smaller forest openings.
The Acoustical Society of America will hold its 183rd meeting in Nashville from Dec. 5-9, bringing together experts to share experiments and applications on diverse topics such as machine learning and medical diagnostics. Lay language papers will also be shared, providing summaries of presentations written for a general audience.
Higher-quality violins produce more detectable objective combination tones, which are linked to air resonance and structural material. The study aims to analyze a greater number of violins to identify the origin of combination tones.
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.
A team of researchers used clear mud to study turbulence in water flows, discovering that low clay concentrations alter the structure of turbulent dynamics. This finding has implications for understanding sediment transport and predicting flow behavior in natural environments.
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.
Researchers used AI to analyze seismic signals and predict future fault friction and next failure time with high resolution in laboratory earthquakes. The technique goes beyond previous work by predicting the future state of the fault's physical system.
Researchers used physics-based models and historical data to debunk internet claims about the Saturn V's acoustic power, finding levels of 203 decibels, comparable to commercial jet engines. The study also predicts sound levels for NASA's SLS Artemis 1 launch and provides educational tools for college-level physics classrooms.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have developed a theoretical model to describe the motion of ultrasound waves in liquids containing multiple bubbles, which may enable advances in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of ultrasound technology. The new equations can also be used to enhance microbubble-enhanced medical applicati...
Scientists review recent experiments and find noise regulations may need to be changed to protect marine mammals from pile driving noise. The current guidance is 7 years old and may not provide sufficient protection for species like harbor porpoises and seals.
John Kershner, a Lehigh University PhD candidate, has been awarded a Fulbright research grant to continue his work on owl-inspired aero-acoustics in Germany. He will collaborate with researchers at Brandenburg Technical University and the DLR to experimentally test these designs.
Numerical simulations show that sonic booms can be prolonged by the shape of cities, with narrower streets introducing more complex boom propagation. The researchers aim to investigate this phenomenon further to better understand its impact on noise levels in urban areas.
A research team from USTC designed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator with ultra-high Q based on lithium niobate thin film. The quality factor at parallel resonance increased by two orders of magnitude compared to previously reported acoustic resonators.
A research team from the University of Science and Technology of China designed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator with ultra-high Q based on lithium niobate (LiNbO3) thin film. The quality factor at parallel resonance was increased by two orders of magnitude, paving the way for designing 6G communication devices.
The Collaborative Research Centre Hearing Acoustics is developing smart hearing aids that use artificial intelligence to adjust to different environments. The project, which aims to create more adaptable hearing devices, has received $8.1 million in funding for another four years.
A new AI method can distinguish between the overall sounds of healthy and unhealthy coral reefs, making it a valuable tool for monitoring reef health. The technique uses machine learning to analyze sound recordings and track the progress of reef restoration projects.
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 developed an approach to predict shooter localization accuracy using geometric considerations, sensor characteristics, and urban environment. The prediction is represented as an ellipse-shaped area around the true shooter location, with smaller areas indicating higher accuracy.
A new tool called DeepSqueak uses deep learning to identify marine mammal calls with high accuracy, even in noisy environments. The tool was originally developed for rodent ultrasound signals but has been adapted to detect sounds at other frequencies, including humpback whales and delphinids.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to identify effective solutions, including strategically placed berms. A civil conversation between the source of the noise and the receiver is also crucial in finding an agreeable outcome.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully demonstrated a protocol for gentle, controlled measurement of mechanical quantum states in hybrid qubit-resonator devices. This breakthrough enables applications such as quantum error correction and more, paving the way for advanced technological innovations.
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.
Researchers developed a highly efficient wave-based acoustics simulation that can accurately estimate the acoustics of large-scale interior spaces. The method uses a time-domain Finite Element Method to consider frequency-dependent characteristics of sound absorption materials, enabling precise modeling and high-speed estimations.
Harvard researchers create first topological acoustic transistor, utilizing sound waves to control flow on and off. The device demonstrates scalable and controllable 'acoustic switches' with potential applications in efficient noise reduction, ultrasound imaging, and more.
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.
Researchers investigate glacial ice melting that releases acoustically distinct pressurized underwater bubbles, providing a potential tool for monitoring climate change's impact on glaciers. The team's experiments will permit the long-term monitoring of ice loss and its link to water temperature.
The Seattle Space Needle renovation incorporated acoustic designs to limit sound transmission, enhancing visitor experience. Acoustic materials and effective reverberant sound control were selected for the observation levels and restaurant.
Researchers use speaker shakers to generate vibrations in a plate, creating sound waves that constructively interfere at the target minifigure. The focused energy knocks over the single Lego minifig without disrupting the surrounding minifigs.
A study by Brynn Kimber and team reveals killer whales spending more time in the Arctic due to reduced sea ice, posing new threats to prey species. The warmer climate is altering the predators' hunting patterns, leading to increased risks for endangered bowhead whales.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL aim to create an ideal baby monitor that filters out unwanted noises, ensuring parents don't miss infant cries. The team's open-source device uses audio processing hardware to filter out background sounds, improving the overall baby monitoring experience.
Masks designed for singers block aerosols, diluting virus-causing particles, while affecting high frequencies. Singer's masks reduced high-frequency power by less than two times, improving enunciation.
Ocean predators survive on small, scattered areas of food rather than average concentrations found in the water. Acoustic tools reveal dynamic layered maps of ocean life by interpreting echoes from sound pulses, providing insights into how animals adapt to find and exploit resources.
A study found that adults with sensory impairment experienced a decline in emotional well-being during the pandemic due to lack of social interactions. Researchers hope to develop hybrid solutions for remote access and clear communication.
People with mild dementia struggle to understand speech in both quiet and acoustically challenging situations. Effective communication strategies include speaking clearly and slowly, reducing background noise, and providing contextual information.
A new theory suggests that stuttering is caused by anomalies in the brain's initiation circuit, which chooses a word to speak. This circuit is separate from the muscle-coordinating circuit, and its impairment leads to stuttering. Researchers believe this could lead to targeted treatments for stuttering with fewer side effects.
Converting empty offices into podcast studios poses unique acoustic challenges. Experts recommend optimizing space for better sound quality, using minimal absorptive treatments and selecting suitable microphones. Aesthetically pleasing room finishes are also crucial for visually appealing recording spaces.
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 study by Penn State University and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that electric vehicle sounds can improve pedestrian safety, but with some cases of false negatives at close ranges. Adding sound to electric vehicles increases detection distances beyond minimum safe detection ranges.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of Texas at Dallas found that listeners can reliably identify the gender of individual children as young as 5. They also discovered that identification of gender must take place jointly with the identification of age and likely physical size.
Researchers from Utah State University and KAUST found clear acoustic signatures of oil temperature in deep-frying sounds. The unique bubble patterns near the oil surface create distinct noises that vary with heat levels.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have demonstrated optical-wave signal amplification and cancellation using optically driven acoustic waves on a silicon chip. This achievement paves the way for new applications in signal processing, sensing, and nanostructures.
Researchers from Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University found that matching the locations of faces with speech sounds significantly improves understanding of speech, especially in noisy areas. Spatial alignment is more important when background noise is louder.
A study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals that southern resident killer whales have access to four to six times more Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea than northern residents. This challenges the common notion of a prey shortage for southern residents during summer feeding grounds.
Researchers used MEG to measure brain activity while participants listened to simultaneous math equations and sentences, finding separate networks for each. The parietal lobe processed math and the temporal lobe processed language, with activity tracking every word and symbol.