Airfoil Noise Control in Complex Turbulence. This project aims to understand how to control noise created by the interaction of airfoils with complex, real-world turbulence. This project is significant because it will develop novel serrated and porous leading edges tailored for complex turbulence for the first time. Using innovative experimental and theoretical techniques, the project will dramatically advance the science of aeroacoustics. The expected outcomes of the project will be substantial ....Airfoil Noise Control in Complex Turbulence. This project aims to understand how to control noise created by the interaction of airfoils with complex, real-world turbulence. This project is significant because it will develop novel serrated and porous leading edges tailored for complex turbulence for the first time. Using innovative experimental and theoretical techniques, the project will dramatically advance the science of aeroacoustics. The expected outcomes of the project will be substantial reductions in noise from aircraft, wind turbines, submarines and drones. This will provide significant benefits such as a reduction in environmental noise pollution, better public health and submarines with increased stealth.Read moreRead less
Understanding and predicting airfoil noise in real-world turbulence. This project aims to understand and predict the noise produced by turbulence interacting with an airfoil to advance the design of aeroengines, wind turbines, marine vessels, cooling fans and drones. A novel anechoic wind tunnel experiment is proposed to link complex turbulent in-flow with the behaviour of the flow as it interacts with the airfoil and the noise-producing physics. The intended outcomes of this project are new sem ....Understanding and predicting airfoil noise in real-world turbulence. This project aims to understand and predict the noise produced by turbulence interacting with an airfoil to advance the design of aeroengines, wind turbines, marine vessels, cooling fans and drones. A novel anechoic wind tunnel experiment is proposed to link complex turbulent in-flow with the behaviour of the flow as it interacts with the airfoil and the noise-producing physics. The intended outcomes of this project are new semi-analytical noise prediction models and scientific knowledge that can be harnessed for practical noise control. Anticipated benefits include quiet aerospace, naval and renewable energy technologies, reduced environmental noise pollution and better quality of life.Read moreRead less
Dominant flow noise source identification for ducted marine propellers. Ducted marine propellers are becoming an increasing alternative to conventional open propellers. Understanding flow-induced noise generated by ducted propellers is a key consideration in the design process to minimise noise emission. This project aims to develop new methods to identify turbulent flow sources of a ducted marine propeller that dominate sound. High-fidelity numerical methods will be developed to study the compl ....Dominant flow noise source identification for ducted marine propellers. Ducted marine propellers are becoming an increasing alternative to conventional open propellers. Understanding flow-induced noise generated by ducted propellers is a key consideration in the design process to minimise noise emission. This project aims to develop new methods to identify turbulent flow sources of a ducted marine propeller that dominate sound. High-fidelity numerical methods will be developed to study the complex interaction between inflow turbulence, support struts, propeller blades and duct structure. Successful identification of the dominant sources of noise will allow for targeted noise mitigation strategies with significant impact for stealth of military vessels and reduction of underwater noise pollution on marine life.Read moreRead less
Cepstral methods of operational modal analysis to separate multiple sources. This project aims to develop new methods of operational modal analysis in situations with multiple complex sources, such as rotating machines. The project will obtain scaled mode shapes as well as separated scaled sources. One of the main applications will be to improve the prognostics of machines by having separated scaled estimates of the forcing functions to make it easier to find fault parameters which trend monoton ....Cepstral methods of operational modal analysis to separate multiple sources. This project aims to develop new methods of operational modal analysis in situations with multiple complex sources, such as rotating machines. The project will obtain scaled mode shapes as well as separated scaled sources. One of the main applications will be to improve the prognostics of machines by having separated scaled estimates of the forcing functions to make it easier to find fault parameters which trend monotonically towards failure, and thus greatly improve the estimates of remaining useful equipment life. An additional benefit of the application will be the ability to predict overall noise radiation from a machine or object if both the sources and modal models are scaled.Read moreRead less
Surf sounds: predicting the valuable data of bubble sound emissions. This project aims to predict natural bubble sounds. These audio signals contain data on the bubble size, which controls oxygen absorption, and thus product quality, in minerals, food, pharmaceuticals and water industries. Bubbles also control ocean carbon-dioxide absorption. Such gas absorption is almost impossible to monitor with laboratory sensors. In the ocean, sensors are quickly blocked by algae. In industry, liquids are o ....Surf sounds: predicting the valuable data of bubble sound emissions. This project aims to predict natural bubble sounds. These audio signals contain data on the bubble size, which controls oxygen absorption, and thus product quality, in minerals, food, pharmaceuticals and water industries. Bubbles also control ocean carbon-dioxide absorption. Such gas absorption is almost impossible to monitor with laboratory sensors. In the ocean, sensors are quickly blocked by algae. In industry, liquids are opaque or too hot. However, the easily-measured sounds get through. Experiments and computer simulations would allow the sound volume as well as frequencies emitted by bubbles to be predicted. This would enable valuable data to be interpreted from complex sounds, transforming industrial and environmental measurements.Read moreRead less
A sentinel network for vibration-based termite control. Termite damage is costly and eradication via chemicals is hazardous to environment and health. As termites use vibrations to make foraging decisions and eavesdrop on competitors/predators, it is feasible but not attempted hitherto to detect and control termites using vibrations. A smart sentinel network will be developed to enable timber infrastructure to be continuously monitored for termites and for termites to be repelled using specific ....A sentinel network for vibration-based termite control. Termite damage is costly and eradication via chemicals is hazardous to environment and health. As termites use vibrations to make foraging decisions and eavesdrop on competitors/predators, it is feasible but not attempted hitherto to detect and control termites using vibrations. A smart sentinel network will be developed to enable timber infrastructure to be continuously monitored for termites and for termites to be repelled using specific vibration signals and manipulated structures, with minimal environmental and health impacts. For this network to be efficient and effective, an improved understanding on how vibrations influence termite sociality will be obtained by studying habituation and signal adaptation on collective behaviour.Read moreRead less
Discovering how termites use vibrations to thrive in a predators' world. Our recent research revealed termites use vibrations to avoid predators/competitors for survival. However, the enabling mechanisms of this amazing ability remain unknown. The project aims at unlocking the secrets of these mechanisms by relating the mechanical properties of termite, legs, antennae and sensing organs (measured with advanced micro measurement techniques) to vibration signatures of ants and termites (extracted ....Discovering how termites use vibrations to thrive in a predators' world. Our recent research revealed termites use vibrations to avoid predators/competitors for survival. However, the enabling mechanisms of this amazing ability remain unknown. The project aims at unlocking the secrets of these mechanisms by relating the mechanical properties of termite, legs, antennae and sensing organs (measured with advanced micro measurement techniques) to vibration signatures of ants and termites (extracted using innovative signal processing techniques and nonlinear dynamics). We will develop novel bio-dynamics models that incorporate machine learning. We will test the models’ ability to manipulate termites foraging behaviour, with the ultimate objective of developing chemical-free, vibration-based pest control devices. Read moreRead less