Science Daily News - Acoustics

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Title: Acoustics

Experiment records ultrafast chemical reaction with vibrational echoes

To watch a magician transform a vase of flowers into a rabbit, it's best to have a front-row seat. Likewise, for chemical transformations in solution, the best view belongs to the molecular spectators closest to the action. Those special molecules comprise the "first solvation shell," and although it has been known for decades that they can sense and dictate the fate of nearly every chemical reaction, it has been virtually impossible to watch them respond -- until now.

Researchers develop simulation to better understand the effects of sound on marine life

A combination of the biology of marine mammals, mechanical vibrations and acoustics has led to a breakthrough discovery allowing scientists to better understand the potential harmful effects of sound on marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.

New Norwegian earplug solution to a deafening problem

Some 600 cases of noise-induced hearing impairment are reported by the Norwegian petroleum industry every year. A new, intelligent earplug is now set to alleviate the problem. The international energy company Statoil ASA has led efforts to further develop a combined hearing protection and communication product for use on offshore platforms. The QUIETPRO hearing protection and communication device was originally developed for military use by the Trondheim-based company Nacre AS. The company’s customers include the United States Army, which uses QUIETPRO devices in armoured vehicles.

Secrets of scents: Designing the smells that sell household products

Crafting a fragrance for detergents that leaves laundry smelling clean and fresh. Developing a room freshener, scented oil or scented candle that whispers "cool spring air." Giving toothpaste or mouthwash a refreshing aftertaste that lingers and lingers. The process for putting the smell that sells into thousands consumer products is much like composing a symphony, according to a leading fragrance designer.

Intelligent earplug adapted for offshore use

Researchers in Norway are developing next-generation hearing protection and communication technology for the offshore industry.

Submarines could use new nanotube technology for sonar and stealth

Speakers made from carbon nanotube sheets that are a fraction of the width of a human hair can both generate sound and cancel out noise -- properties ideal for submarine sonar to probe the ocean depths and make subs invisible to enemies. That's the topic of a report on these "nanotube speakers."

Fibers that can hear and sing: Fibers created that detect and produce sound

Scientists have announced a new milestone on the path to functional fibers: fibers that can detect and produce sound. Applications could include clothes that are themselves sensitive microphones, for capturing speech or monitoring bodily functions, and tiny filaments that could measure blood flow in capillaries or pressure in the brain.

Earplug lets the message through

An earplug with a built-in computer that allows speech to pass but shuts out unwanted and hazardous noise will make life easier in noisy environments.

Scientists discover heavenly solar music

Musical sounds created by longitudinal vibrations within the Sun's atmosphere, have been recorded and accurately studied for the first time by researchers, shedding light on the Sun's magnetic atmosphere.

Precise trace gas analysis, without the noise

Analyzing trace atmospheric gases can now be considerably more precise with the help of a device that delivers stable and reliable power to the lasers used in gas sensors.

Omni-focus video camera to revolutionize industry: Automatic real-time focus of both near and far field images

Researchers in Canada have announced a breakthrough development in video camera design. The omni-focus video camera, based on an entirely new distance-mapping principle, delivers automatic real-time focus of both near and far field images, simultaneously, in high resolution. This unprecedented capability can be broadly applied in industry, including manufacturing, medicine, defense, security -- and for the consumer market.

Researchers holding steady in an atomic-scale tug-of-war

A research team has built an ultra-stable instrument for tugging on chains of atoms, an instrument that can maneuver and hold the position of an atomic probe to within 5 picometers.

New 'hearing' maps are real conversation starters

Innovative sound-mapping software based on human hearing has been developed to help architects design out unwanted noise. The new software generates audibility maps of proposed room designs.

New research advances voice security technology

Most people are familiar with security technology that scans a person's handprint or eye for identification purposes. Now we are closer to practical technology that can test someone's voice to confirm their identity.

Playing music on your clothing

In the future it may be considerably easier for orchestras to tour. Jeannine Han, who is in the second year of her master's program in textiles and fashion design at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, Sweden, working together with technician Dan Riley, has developed clothing that plays music when touched.

Quantum leap for phonon lasers

Physicists have taken major step forward in the development of practical phonon lasers, which emit sound in much the same way that optical lasers emit light. The development should lead to new, high-resolution imaging devices and medical applications. Just as optical lasers have been incorporated into countless, ubiquitous devices, a phonon laser is likely to be critical to a host of as yet unimaginable applications.

Leaves whisper their properties through ultrasound

The water content of leaves, their thickness, their density and other properties can now be determined without even having to touch them. Researchers in Spain have presented an innovative technique that enables plant leaves to be studied using ultrasound in a quick, simple and noninvasive fashion.