The toy company Mattel has signed a deal with NXT to investigate the use their loudspeaker technologies in their toys. NXT make Distributed Mode loudspeakers, which uses a vibrating plate to generate sound.

Read more on the NXT web site.

MTS and National Instruments have announced a long-term contractual agreement where MTS plan to use National Instruments’ LabVIEW software for their noise and vibration measurement systems. Readers can find out about each company’s long term strategy on the National Instruments and MTS web sites.

Engineers at DaimlerChrylser have tested a vibrating accelerator pedal that warns drivers of impeding traffic congestion at upcoming intersections. The system is linked to a GPS system to determine the location of the car on the road network and a vehicle detection radar determines the proximity of the nearest vehicle in front of the car. Trials with 70 volunteers found that that fuel consumption dropped by 11%.

Belcan has acquired the COMET acoustics business from Collins & Aikman on 15 Dec 2003. The COMET software development, support and NVH consulting team also joined Belcan.

Check out the Jobs section for a new job opening for a junior vibration and acoustic engineer in Billerica MA, USA.

The new Star City bridge over the Monongahela River in West Virginia has 770 sensors and 28 data loggers attached to it to monitor the condition of the bridge.

Read more about the project on the West Virginia University web site.

QinetiQ and Ultra Electronics have developed an active noise control system for the interior of aircraft to reduce broadband noise. The system uses active trim panels attached to the inside of the fuselage.

Read more on the QinetiQ web site.Read about the QinetiQ and Lufthansa alliance.

Shell Global Solutions has installed vortex induced vibration (VIV) suppression fairings on the mooring tendons of the Marco Polo platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The modified tendons are designed to suppress vibrations caused by water currents, thereby helping to prevent premature fatigue failure.

Read more on the Shell Global Solutions web site.

Chrysler Group has launched the Durango 2004 model that has new noise control products in the body.
PUR foam is a patented noise suppression adhesive that is injected into the body of the vehicle to minimize noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The second technology, Liquid Applied Sound Deadener system (LASD) is an underbody system that applies a liquid compound to the vehicle’s floor pan and helps reduce noise inside the vehicle.

Read more on the Daimler Chrysler web site.

Canada’s National Research Council has started construction for the new National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT). The laboratory’s environment will have ultra-low vibration and minimal acoustical noise and electro-magnetic interference.

Read more on the NRC web site.