ESI Group have released the latest version of the software VA One 2008.0, which can be used for vibro-acoustic predictions across the full frequency spectrum seamlessly.
The software uses unique mathematics to combine low-, mid-, and high- frequency predictions. The software combines finite elements, boundary elements and statistical energy analysis in one model.
For more information about the VA One software, see the ESI Group web site.
Researchers have found using Functional MRI scans that the brain function is altered in patients with Hand-Vibration syndrome compared with a control group. The results were presented at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 18-20 September 18-20, 2008. Chicago, USA.
Read the full article on the Orthosupersite.
A federal appeals court in the USA (9th Circuit Court of Appeals) has rejected the Bush administration request to exempt the US Navy training activities using active sonar from environmental laws. This decision follows from a lower court that set conditions in an effort to protect whales and dolphins from the active sonar.
Read more on the LA times web site.
Sony have released a new type of headphone that has a separate bass ‘duct’, a tube that is inserted into the ear canal, and external speakers for the mid- and high- frequencies. The PFR-V1 headphones will be available for retail sale in the US in April. The reason for doing this is to provide a more natural sound rather than the ‘in the head’ sound from most headphones. Images of the headphones can be viewed on Sony’s Japan web site.
Another interesting year is in store for 2008 with some great conferences in acoustics in vibrations around the globe. For a list of conferences, see the Calendar for 2008 Conferences.
This web site was hacked again recently. It appears that someone did some sql injections into the forums. I’ve shutdown the forums as they were not widely used. I’ve also changed the hosting of the web site. Let me know if you spot any problems.
A UK company has released a CD containing pre-recorded road noises that when played back through a car stereo should excite the rattles in a car, which will help in locating these annoyances. See the Rattle Buster web site.
A new Bluetooth mobile phone headset is now available that uses the vibration from facial bones and a microphone to reduce background noise. See the Jawbone headset website for more information.
Ulf Sanberg and Jerzy Ejsmont have released a new reference book covering all the aspects of tyre and road noise. The cost is $US230 or $E190 and is available from Informex web site.
The new Nikon S7c camera has inbuilt vibration reduction to help take shaper pictures. An angular velocity sensor is used with in built image processing software to reduce blurry pictures.
For more information see the Nikon press release.