Acoustic Solutions Research Articles

Acoustofluidic Tweezers Integrated with Droplet Sensing Enable Multifunctional Closed-Loop Droplet Manipulation.

Droplet manipulation technologies with surface acoustic waves attract significant attention for applications in fluid handling and bioanalysis. However, existing technologies face challenges in automation, precision, and functional integration, limiting broader applications. In this work, a highly integrated droplet-sensing acoustofluidic tweezer is developed, incorporating orthogonally arranged slanted finger interdigital transducers and a custom-designed control and detection circuit system. Using a single acoustic device, this tweezer enables switchable acoustic droplet manipulation and detection, providing multifunctional closed-loop manipulation of on-chip microliter-scale droplets. The platform takes advantage of the wideband frequency response characteristics of the transducers, along with an automated droplet detection algorithm, enabling high-precision detection of central positions, edge positions, contact diameters, and the number of droplets. With this feedback, automated closed-loop control of various droplet manipulation functions, including transportation, merging, mixing, splitting, and internal particle enrichment, is achieved for the first time on a single acoustic platform. This significantly enhances the precision, efficiency, and fault tolerance of the manipulation process. This droplet-sensing acoustofluidic tweezer provides an innovative acoustic solution for droplet manipulation technologies in fields such as fluid processing and biosensing, demonstrating significant application potential.

The effect of classroom acoustics and noise on preschool children’s listening, learning, and wellbeing: A scoping review

Preschool is an important time for children to grow in their experiences, abilities, and knowledge before entering formal school. Therefore, it is vital that the classroom acoustic environment supports children’s listening, learning, and wellbeing. The aim of this scoping review was to determine what is known from the literature about the effect of classroom acoustics and noise on preschool children’s listening, learning, and wellbeing, and what the knowledge gaps are. The scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Seven papers met the criteria to be included in the review. The findings suggest that poor classroom acoustic conditions and particularly high noise levels, can have a negative effect on preschool school children’s listening and wellbeing, but may not affect word learning at the SNRs investigated. Nevertheless, it would be beneficial to install acoustic solutions and manage noise in preschool classrooms to enhance children’s listening, learning, and wellbeing. Future research avenues are discussed.

Rooftop pools - a problem from an acoustic point of view: how to identify and solve it

There is no standard with specific methods for acoustic testing of rooftop swimming pools in Brazil. On the other hand, although the compatible requirement for impact noise from rooftop leisure environments is not the type of noise generated by swimming pools, it is a current requirement in the Brazilian performance standard. To study the subject, evaluate possible solutions and improve the state of the art, this article brings measurement results for impact noise in the same situation without and with the application of an acoustic solution. The study also presents sound pressure level and vibration measurements in an environment below a swimming pool after the application of the acoustic solution. Vibrations were measured as well in the pool structure and in the slab below, making it possible to identify the vibrational behavior of the pool. Measurements of impact noise took place in a situation where the pool is three floors above the last residential unit to verify the influence of technical slabs. With the measured values in the three situations, it was possible to identify the frequency range for which acoustic solutions should be designed for this type of source and to monitor the effectiveness of different solutions.

Acoustic camera applied on sound transmission identification in closed spaces

In the ongoing context of office partitioning, users are increasingly paying attention to acoustic insulation between rooms. The issues commonly related are translated by confidentiality problems and annoying use of sound-enabled videoconferencing. In practice, when an insulation defect is perceived, standardized acoustic insulation measurements are carried out to characterize the overall insulation performance. However, it is often challenging to precisely identify by ear the various paths of sound transmission: through the partition, by poorly caulked junctions, through the ceiling, through the facade, etc. Acoustic antenna solutions employed to identify the location and frequency content of sources have existed for several decades. But, in addition of being expensive and bulky, until now their use was reserved for detection of sources on transportation vehicles (trains, cars, planes, etc.) or industrial equipment (wind turbines, boiler rooms, etc.). In recent years, more accessible and practical antenna solutions known as "acoustic camera" have become available. In this sense, we have been handling an acoustic camera to assist on the detection of the sound transmission paths between two rooms. This work address what has been experienced, outlining results obtained through the (evolving) methodology for sound transmission identification with acoustic camera in closed spaces.

Flux reconstruction approach for long-time calculations of the linearized Euler equation

The Linearized Euler Equations (LEE) are one of the fundamental governing equations in acoustics research. Due to the relatively small magnitude of acoustic disturbances compared to the physical quantities of the background flow, ensuring highly precise solutions without dissipation and dispersion over time is essential. The Flux Reconstruction (FR) method, recognized as a high-order numerical method with flexible construction capabilities, has been extensively utilized in recent years for solving partial differential equations numerically. This paper introduces an offsetting numerical flux for one-dimensional LEE. Subsequently, it develops a flux reconstruction scheme with energy-conserving characteristics, referred to as the ECFR scheme, aimed at achieving high-precision numerical solutions for prolonged computations. The energy-conserving feature of the scheme is substantiated through theoretical derivation and further corroborated by numerical validation. Moreover, the impact of Mach numbers and the parameter of the offsetting flux on the scheme's performance is discussed. The stability of the scheme is also analyzed, with the limit of the CFL number being provided. The novel ECFR scheme facilitates obtaining high-precision acoustic numerical solutions, thereby providing strong support for the study of complex engineering problems such as aircraft, submarine, and automobile noise.

Sandwich structures in bio-composite material for sustainable acoustic solutions

The use of bio-based materials in acoustic applications has gained a lot of attention recently as a functional and environmentally friendly alternative for synthetic materials. This is because conventional synthetic fibers have a significant impact on the environment and the health risks of people. The focus is now on developing composite systems that minimize environmental harm by using energy and materials more efficiently, and by substituting synthetic or petroleum-based materials with more sustainable options, such as natural fibers. These natural fibers are favoured for their biodegradability, sustainability, and widespread availability, earning them the label of "green materials." Thus, this paper aims to investigate the soundproofing capabilities of a novel sandwich structure composed of hemp fibers and bio-epoxy resin, aiming to broaden the application field of natural fiber composite materials.

Understanding the influence of impedance transitions of acoustically reflective vertical surfaces on the frequency-dependent effectiveness of absorptive ceilings in large non-Sabinian empty spaces

An unexpected phenomenon was observed during measurements of reverberation time in empty spaces to be fitted out, in which the only sound absorbing treatment consists of mineral fiber tiles on the ceiling, a material typically highly absorbing at mid and high frequencies during laboratory measurements: this involves a systematic increase of the reverberation time in octave bands between 1 kHz and 4 kHz in the measured empty spaces. The physical understanding of this surprising observation has focused on the question of the influence of impedance transition on sound scattering, and the influence of the frequency-dependent scattering properties of acoustically reflective vertical surfaces of different natures (glazing, plasterboard lining, masonry) of these empty spaces on the efficiency of a sound absorbing ceiling. These scattering phenomena were studied and modeled in a computer model in order to verify the model's adjustment hypothesis, an essential initial step before the study of the acoustic parameters in future fitted spaces and the effectiveness of acoustic solutions for space planning of open plane offices. Good consistency between the measurements and the empty model was observed when the frequency-dependent scattering behaviour of the vertical reflecting surfaces of different nature was taken into account in the simulation.

A sound insulation prediction tool and LCA: A comparative study considering different wooden assemblies

This paper aims to develop an acoustic design methodology for CLT floor assemblies using artificial neural networks approach by integration of life cycle assessment (LCA). 72 Lab-based measurements are used to develop the acoustic prediction tool. They are related to 29 different CLT-based floor assemblies. The weighted sound reduction index (Rw), and the weighted normalized impact sound pressure level (Ln,w) are estimated with an accuracy of 2 dB. Then a LCA study is conducted on assemblies that are used to test the network model. The acoustic performance and their environmental impacts are compared to highlight trends that may guide decision-makers in the design phase. This paper initially found that CLT-based floor assemblies generally increase the environmental impacts to achieve better acoustic insulation. However, a good sound attenuation can be reached by selecting suitable acoustic solutions.

Assessing and mitigating environmental noise pollution: a case study of a metallurgy company

This study aims to analyze the environmental acoustic and vibrational scenario surrounding a metallurgy company, focusing on an industrial unit. Initially, assessments were conducted, including sound pressure measurements according to the ABNT NBR 10.151:2019 standard and internal procedures, comparing the results with regional legal limits. The second analysis focused on particle vibration velocity peaks collected in June 2022, comparing them with the standards established by DD No. 215/2007/E of CETESB. Upon identifying nocturnal noise levels above the limit at two monitored points, an additional step was taken. The internal noise of the main plant sources was characterized, creating noise and conflict maps with legislation. These maps assess noise in the inhabited areas surrounding the industry, identifying critical sources for exceeding limits. Conceptual acoustic solutions were proposed, including the necessary attenuation to ensure that external noise from the factory complies with normative limits in the inhabited areas nearby.

Range-dynamical low-rank split-step Fourier method for the parabolic wave equation.

Numerical solutions to the parabolic wave equation are plagued by the curse of dimensionality coupled with the Nyquist criterion. As a remedy, a new range-dynamical low-rank split-step Fourier method is developed. The integration scheme scales sub-linearly with the number of classical degrees of freedom in the transverse directions. It is orders of magnitude faster than the classic full-rank split-step Fourier algorithm and saves copious amounts of storage space. This enables numerical solutions of the parabolic wave equation at higher frequencies and on larger domains, and simulations may be performed on laptops rather than high-performance computing clusters. Using a rank-adaptive scheme to optimize the low-rank equations further ensures the approximate solution is highly accurate and efficient. The methodology and algorithms are demonstrated on realistic high-resolution data-assimilative ocean fields in Massachusetts Bay for two three-dimensional acoustic configurations with different source locations and frequencies. The acoustic pressure, transmission loss, and phase solutions are analyzed in the two geometries with seamounts and canyons across and along Stellwagen Bank. The convergence with the rank of the subspace and the properties of the rank-adaptive scheme are demonstrated, and all results are successfully compared with those of the full-rank method when feasible.

Acoustic flow resonances in installed rectangular jets

Zonal Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of complex installed rectangular jet flows are performed for subsonic jet conditions of the Central Institute for Aviation Motors (CIAM) experiment, where a strong tone was reported. For far-field noise modelling, the zonal LES solutions are coupled with the permeable formulation of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) method. The obtained noise spectra predictions are compared with the acoustic measurements in the CIAM facility. To reduce statistical noise of the relatively short LES time series, contributions due to several dominant low frequency tones and the remaining broadband signal are computed separately, using a tailored Fourier transform technique for each signal type. For cross-validation, noise spectra measurements of an equivalent isolated round jet in the CIAM facility are compared with the empirical sJet model calibrated on the NASA Small Hot Jet Acoustic Rig (SHJAR) jet noise database. While the two datasets agree reasonably well for mid to high frequencies, larger discrepancies are observed for low frequencies, which are attributed to acoustic reflections in the non-anechoic CIAM facility. The differences in noise levels between the CIAM dataset and the sJet model representing the NASA jet noise data are used to determine the experimental uncertainty of the CIAM noise measurements for each frequency and observer angle. For the installed rectangular jet, it is shown that far-field noise spectra predictions of the zonal LES-FW-H method for both the fundamental tone, its sixth harmonic corresponding to the jet Strouhal number of around 1, and the broadband component are broadly within the experimental error bar for most observer angles. Some discrepancies between predictions of the zonal LES method and the CIAM measurements for the main low frequency tone for the 30o and 90o, where the experimental uncertainty at low frequencies is largest are also noted. After validating the acoustic solutions, spectral and conditional averaging analysis methods are applied to elucidate mechanisms of the acoustic-flow resonance in the installed rectangular jet flow. The numerical dispersion relation is obtained to analyse phase velocities of the upstream and downstream travelling pressure waves in the stream-wise direction. The conditional analysis of pressure fluctuations inside the jet reveals the emergence of internal reflection points corresponding to a rapid change of the acoustic wave phase as well as the saddle points interpreted as localised zones of vorticity shed from the side-wall edges. To independently investigate the effect of trailing edges and corner points of the jet embodiment geometry on closing the acoustic-flow resonance cycle, several modifications of the baseline rectangular nozzle are considered, such as introducing chevron-like lobes and cuts on the trailing edges of the side walls as well as smoothing the sharp corner points of the wall edges. Following the series of additional zonal LES runs with the modified installed nozzle geometries, an optimized tone-less modification of the original installed nozzle was obtained, in broad agreement with the conditional analysis results. The obtained tone-less modification of the installed rectangular jet is further analyzed to provide insights into its similarity and differences from the aeroacoustics of the reference isolated round jet in the same CIAM facility.

Biomechanical Assessment of Liver Integrity: Prospective Evaluation of Mechanical Versus Acoustic MR Elastography.

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can quantify tissue biomechanics noninvasively, including pathological hepatic states like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. To compare the performance of 2D/3D-MRE using the gravitational (GT) transducer concept with the current commercial acoustic (AC) solution utilizing a 2D-MRE approach. Additionally, quality index markers (QIs) were proposed to identify image pixels with sufficient quality for reliably estimating tissue biomechanics. Prospective. One hundred seventy participants with suspected or confirmed liver disease (median age, 57 years [interquartile range (IQR), 46-65]; 66 females), and 11 healthy volunteers (median age, 31 years [IQR, 27-34]; 5 females). Participants were scanned twice at 1.5 T and 60 Hz vibration frequency: first, using AC-MRE (2D-MRE, spin-echo EPI sequence, 11 seconds breath-hold), and second, using GT-MRE (2D- and 3D-MRE, gradient-echo sequence, 14 seconds breath-hold). Image analysis was performed by four independent radiologists and one biomedical engineer. Additionally, superimposed analytic plane shear waves of known wavelength and attenuation at fixed shear modulus were used to propose pertinent QIs. Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was applied to assess the correlation between modalities. Interreader reproducibility was evaluated using Bland-Altman bias and reproducibility coefficients. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Liver stiffness quantified via GT-2D/3D correlated well with AC-2D (r ≥ 0.89 [95% CI: 0.85-0.92]) and histopathological grading (r ≥ 0.84 [95% CI: 0.72-0.91]), demonstrating excellent agreement in Bland-Altman plots and between readers (κ ≥ 0.86 [95% CI: 0.81-0.91]). However, GT-2D showed a bias in overestimating stiffness compared to GT-3D. Proposed QIs enabled the identification of pixels deviating beyond 10% from true stiffness based on a combination of total wave amplitude, temporal sinusoidal nonlinearity, and wave signal-to-noise ratio for GT-3D. GT-MRE represents an alternative to AC-MRE for noninvasive liver tissue characterization. Both GT-2D and 3D approaches correlated strongly with the established commercial approach, offering advanced capabilities in abdominal imaging compared to AC-MRE. 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Dynamic Schwarz Meta-Foams: Customizable Solutions for Environmental Noise Reduction.

In an era marked by increasing environmental challenges affecting human well-being, traditional acoustic materials struggle to effectively handle the diverse and multi-frequency nature of harmful environmental noises. This has spurred a demand for innovative acoustic metamaterial solutions by utilizing sustainable design strategies. This research introduces tunable Schwarz metamaterial capable of transforming into a soft meta-foam to solve the complex problems of varying environmental noises. This study primarily focuses on adjusting single to multiple sound-blocking bandgaps mechanism using a multi-layered approach, incorporating the Schwarz P-type triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) and its elective soft foam counterpart, known as tunable Schwarz meta-foams (TSMF-x). The tunable design parameters of the unit cell, multi-layered TPMS, and soft programmable TSMF-lichen version are comprehensively explored including a fire-safety test. The results demonstrate these enhanced flame retardant meta-foam families have the potential to be used for mid-to-high-frequency environmental noises in industrial equipment and smart homes for sustainable architecture and environmental health applications.

Aeroacoustics computation for propellers based on harmonic balance solution

In this paper, a novel open-source framework is presented for the evaluation of noise emissions produced by aerodynamic bodies exhibiting dominant motion at specific frequencies. This behavior is frequently encountered in propellers used for urban air mobility applications. The reduced order model called harmonic balance is employed to compute the unsteady flow solution, reducing the computational cost. The approach tackles K different frequencies by capturing the flow solution at N discrete time instances within a single period, where N is defined as 2K+1. The time history of the conservative variables on the solid surfaces is reconstructed through a Fourier interpolation. The Kirchhoff Ffowcs Williams Hawkings integral formulation, integrated into SU2, is used to compute the sound pressure level perceived by farfield observers. The integral formulation propagates the acoustic solution with a computational cost independent of observer distance. The noise emission of a pitching wing and a propeller is computed with the proposed framework. Regarding a small, isolated propeller operating at low Reynolds numbers in forward flight, we conducted a comparison of the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic results between a fully time-accurate solution and a steady-state Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes solution within a rotating reference frame. The harmonic balance results demonstrated improved agreement with the fully unsteady solution across the first three blade-pass frequencies and exhibited this consistency over a broader range of propagation angles.

Quantum Brain Dynamics: Optical and Acoustic Super-Radiance via a Microtubule

We aim to derive a super-radiance solution of coherent light and sound waves involving water degrees of freedom in the environment of a microtubule. We introduce a Lagrangian density functional of quantum electrodynamics with non-relativistic charged bosons as a model of quantum brain dynamics (QBD) involving water molecular conformational states and photon fields. We also introduce the model of charged boson fields (water degrees of freedom) coupled with phonons. Both optical and acoustic super-radiance solutions are derived in our approach. An acoustic super-radiance mechanism involving information transfer is proposed as an additional candidate to solve the binding problem and to achieve acoustic holography. Our results can be applied to achieve holographic memory storage and information processing in QBD.

Advancing Sustainable Acoustic Solution: Exploring the Sound Absorption Characteristics of Biodegradable Agricultural Wastes, Coconut Fiber, Groundnut Shell, and Sugarcane Fiber

Among the world's greatest threats is noise pollution particularly in megacities that affect the quality of life. This problem can cause negative effects on human health, disturbing emotion as well as human behavior. Natural fiber sound insulation materials have been demonstrated to be a potential substitute for the synthetic products currently employed in the sound insulation industry. Coconut fiber and sugarcane fiber happen to be biodegradable, earth-friendly, and present lower risks to the environment and human health. The research examines the sound absorption characteristics of natural biodegradable waste fibers (coconut fiber &amp; sugarcane fiber) to evaluate their suitability as sound absorbers. The paper seeks to discover the internal workings of the sound absorption mechanisms of these materials and also to help design environmentally friendly acoustic solutions.

Face the (unamplified) music: Key findings for musicians.

Music is complex. There are risks to hearing health associated with playing due to excessive sound exposure. Face the Music is an on-going cross-sectional project to assess the risks to unamplified classical musicians. Key findings over the first fifteen years are presented based on the research undertaken with a leading conservatoire on more than 5000 classical music students. The work covers hearing health surveillance, education and awareness, sound exposure, and new technology. The future of the research programme is discussed along with opportunities in objective hearing health assessment and new acoustic solutions. A lot has changed in fifteen years, but the research was driven by a change in United Kingdom legislation. It is hoped that the research results can inform future regulation.

Non-Integer Dimensional Analysis of Ultrasonic Wave Propagation in Fractal Porous Media

This paper explores the acoustics of porous media characterized by fractal, or self-similar, structures. Employing a fractal approach, we use differential operators in non-integer dimensional spaces to address the fundamental equations of acoustics in such media. The primary aim is to examine the transmission of ultrasonic waves within a fractal porous medium. Our findings reveal that the fractal dimension significantly influences wave transmission. In fractal porous materials, waves travel along more complex and intricate paths, resulting in increased tortuosity and attenuation. We introduce the concept of an effective path length leff , which is dependent on the fractal dimension Dx , to describe the actual trajectory of wave propagation. Additionally, we define an effective tortuosity αDx , directly proportional to leff2 , to quantify the additional tortuosity brought about by the fractal structure. The insights gained from this study are crucial, as they enhance our understanding of wave behavior in self-similar porous media, which are prevalent in various natural settings and have multiple practical applications, including sound insulation and the design of acoustic materials. Furthermore, understanding the impact of fractal dimensions on wave behavior is vital for developing more efficient acoustic solutions. This research also sets the stage for further theoretical and experimental work on applying fractal geometry to analyze wave propagation in porous structures.

A Time-Domain Wavenumber Integration Model for Underwater Acoustics Based on the High-Order Finite Difference Method

Simulating the acoustic field excited by pulse sound sources holds significant practical value in computational ocean acoustics. Two primary methods exist for modeling underwater acoustic propagation in the time domain: the Fourier synthesis technique based on frequency decomposition and the time-domain underwater acoustic propagation model (TD-UAPM). TD-UAPMs solve the wave equation in the time domain without requiring frequency decomposition, providing a more intuitive explanation of the physical process of sound energy propagation over time. However, time-stepping numerical methods can accumulate numerical errors, making it crucial to improve the algorithm’s accuracy for TD-UAPMs. Herein, the time-domain wavenumber integration model SPARC was improved by replacing the second-order finite element method (FEM) with the high-order accuracy finite difference method (FDM). Furthermore, the matched interface and boundary (MIB) method was used to process the seabed more accurately. The improved model was validated using three classic underwater acoustic benchmarks. By comparing the acoustic solutions obtained using the FDM and the FEM, it is evident that the improved model requires fewer grid points while maintaining the same level of accuracy, leading to lower computational costs and faster processing compared to the original model.

Empirical modelling of the acoustic behavior of sheep wool/soy protein biocomposites

Many synthetic materials used as sound absorbers in building industry require many resources in their manufacturing process; therefore, searching for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, such as biocomposites with natural fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, is a promising option. In this work, soy protein was combined with 10, 15 and 20 wt % sheep wool by freeze-drying in order to develop porous biocomposites for sound absorption applications. Sound absorption coefficients at normal incidence were close to 1 at medium and high frequencies and, thus, competitive values were yielded. Additionally, airflow resistivity values were determined, obtaining values above 5 kPa s m−2, adequate values for building materials. Furthermore, an empirical model was developed to predict the sound absorption behavior of the biocomposites. Comparison of the estimated values for sound absorption with their experimental counterparts showed good agreement and provided a practical prediction tool to facilitate the design of acoustic solutions.