Prof. Dah-You Maa’s Contribution to Acoustics

Abstract

In his life-long career pursuing, Professor Dah-You Maa contributed greatly in many areas of acoustics, not only in acoustical research and development, but also in the promotion of acoustical education, application, and legislation. Professor Maa presented a simplified method for calculation of normal modes for room acoustics, invented micro-perforated panel absorbers and micro-perforation jet mufflers, gave a formula of jet noise power via air pressure, and acoustically designed the first and biggest Congress Hall, built the first set of acoustical laboratories, and established the acoustical standard system in China. He also supervised tens of postgraduate students working in environmental acoustics, building acoustics, speech signal processing, nonlinear acoustics, and active noise control. In this paper, the main contribution of Professor Maa is introduced. Several of his typical research works, such as micro-perforated panel absorbers and micro-perforation jet mufflers, are explained in detail, from which we can well appreciate the physical insights and theoretical skills of Professor Maa.