Description

Active sound control is now well established for the attenuation of internal sound fields and has been applied in the cabins of propeller aircraft, helicopters and in cars. In this project the active control of external sound fields will be considered, specifically those caused by the scattering of sound from a rigid body subject to an incident sound field. The project will initially involve a mixture of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. An experimental investigation would then be undertaken in the ISVR anechoic chamber, in order to demonstrate the capabilities of the system. It is of particular importance to establish the fundamental limits of performance for such an active system, and to compare this with the limits imposed by more conventional, passive, techniques or those which use passive metamaterials. The trade-off in performance between passive and active control methods would then be investigated and the possibility explored of optimally combining both passive and active control.

Requirements

The candidate must be an EU national, holding an MSc, or equivalent, in engineering or physical science, preferably with experience of acoustics, vibration and control. Specific computational experience with Matlab/Simulink and experimental experience in acoustics would be an advantage. The candidate must have the motivation, initiative and organisational skills to conduct independent research and also have the written and verbal skills to present scientific ideas clearly and succinctly.

Funding

The studentship would be for four years and support EU fees, an enhanced stipend of about £16,000 per year, and travel to conferences. It is supported by DSTL, with whom quarterly progress meetings would be held, together with the regular academic monitoring through the University.

In the first instance a detailed CV and covering letter, with the names of two referees, should be sent to Prof SJ Elliott ISVR University of Southampton SO17 1BJ, sje<στο>isvr.soton.ac.uk.

To apply please use the following linkhttp://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/postgraduate/research_degrees/apply.page? and select Faculty of Engineering and the Environment.