Extreme Sounds &Unexpected Music

Steve Dorney

• Room acoustics

• Aircraft engine noise

• Cochlear implants

• Wind turbines

• Hearing conservation

• Bubble acoustics

• Aircraft wings

• Forensic acoustics

• Bats

• Food manufacture

• Lung function

• Musical instruments

• Rails and train wheels

• Whales, dolphins and underwater acoustics

• Car suspensions and brakes

• Active noise control

• Virtual acoustics

• Ships/propellers

• Extra-terrestrial oceans

• Early-hominid speech

Institute of Sound & Vibration Research

www.isvr.soton.ac.uk

Acoustic Test Facilities

See if you can get the water to spout!

Chinese ‘Dragon Wash’ 龙洗 Lóng xǐ Spouting Bowl

1. Part-fill the bowl (about ½ full).2. Wet your hands well.3. Rub back and forth along the

handles with your hands as shown by the arrows in the picture. Try to ‘go with the flow’ – it works with very little downward pressure.

4. Listen to the sounds produced as you rub. A squeak? That’s good. A hum? Even better! Watch the water as the hum continues. See it vibrate? Keep rubbing and you’ll see water spouts pop up from the surface on or near the fountain marks on the inner wall of the bowl.

5. Still no sound? Your hands may have oil on them.

‘Bringing Research to Life’ Roadshow

National Science & Engineering Week

www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Home.aspx

Public Engagement with Research aimsOur aims are:• Recognising and responding to public

views;  • Inspiring young people; • Supporting researchers.

External drivers: e.g. the RCUK Excellence with Impact agenda

Also: HE Access Agreements; subject-based initiatives, e.g. RAEng

Technical/Outreach Summary

Expertise- skills and range of knowledge

Adaptability- one-off solutions; creative re-use of

kitEfficiency

- minimise “reinvention of the wheel”Safety and security

- risk assessment plusOverview

- know what’s going on

Direct involvement in outreach?

Photo: Tim Voorheis / www.gulfofmaineproductions.com

Bubble nets

Sound in a liquid: DIY bubble net

VERY HOT WATER

How do the bubbles change the sound?

• Room acoustics

• Aircraft engine noise

• Cochlear implants

• Wind turbines

• Hearing conservation

• Bubble acoustics

• Aircraft wings

• Forensic acoustics

• Bats

• Food manufacture

• Lung function

• Musical instruments

• Rails and train wheels

• Whales, dolphins and underwater acoustics

• Car suspensions and brakes

• Active noise control

• Virtual acoustics

• Ships/propellers

• Extra-terrestrial oceans

• Early-hominid speech

Institute of Sound & Vibration Research

www.isvr.soton.ac.uk