Ansys have released version 7 of their finite element analysis software. There have been many improvements, including optimization routines, new elements, and my favourite – the ability to export analysis results into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
Read more on the ANSYS web site.
Leo Beranek is about to release the second edition of his book, “Concert Halls and Opera Houses: Music, Acoustics, and Architecture”, which is due out on February 15, 2003.
Click here to read a reviews of the 1st and 2nd editions on noiseboard.com.
BRE has developed an aircraft cabin simulator for an Airbus A300, and are developing a similar mock-up for a A380. The simulator is used for testing including noise, vibration, temperature, and humidity on cabin and cockpit crew and passengers.
Read the story on the SAE web site.
Read about the simulator on the BRE web site.
Researchers at MIT have won a grant to investigate the use of hydrophones to detect hurricanes and use the information to determine the wind speed.
Read the story on the MIT web site.
Mazda Motor Corporation selected MTS Systems Corporation and nCode to develop a virtual testing capability for durability, noise, vibration, and harshness.
Read the story on the MTS web site.
A consortium of 51 manufacturers from engine, aircraft, and equipment sectors as well as design and manufacturing firms, research establishments, and universities, are joining to develop technologies that would enable a minimum six-decibel reduction in aircraft noise.
Read the story on the SAE web site.
NASA has made available many software applications that it developed under an open source license agreement. For example, STARS is finite element software used for structural analysis, heat transfer, linear aerodynamics, CFD , and controls engineering. It has been used at NASADryden Flight Research Center for analysis of the X-29A, F18 HARV/TVCS, B-52/Pegasus, Generic Hypersonics, NASP, SR-71, and the high speed civil transport (HSCT), among others.
View the software available on the NASA web site.
MSc, Maintenance Systems Corporation, has released a low cost vibration analyzer for use in condition monitoring of bearings and machines.
Read the full article on the MSc web site.
A new method of making MEMS devices is on the way. Traditional MEMS devices are made by etching silicon. A new method has been developed to etch metal, called EFAB. It is a metal deposition process that can be used to make complex 3D shapes. With EFAB processing, one can make electromagnetic actuators (e.g., solenoids) or sensors based on electromagnetic transduction—applications not well served by silicon micromachining.
Read the full article on the Sensor Mag web site.
Researchers have found that the stereocilia, the tiny hair cells in the ear that convert vibrating air into electrical signals in the ear, are replaced every two days. Their finding could explain the reason why it takes two days to recover from exposure to loud music or noise.
Read the article on the New Scientist web site.