The Acoustic Black Hole (ABH) is a recently proposed innovative technique for attenuating sound and vibration in various applications, including aero-space and automotive industries. The extraordinary effect is achieved by inducing local variations of stiffness and damping properties along a structure, and as a result, vibrational energy gets trapped in the ABH.
The aim of the present project is to design, manufacture and test a structure illustrating the ABH effect. The structure can be a plate or a beam with varying thickness and added layers of viscoelastic materal (tape or rubber). Manufacturing techniques that can be used in the project include 3D printing and laser cutting. Potential application of the ABH effect to reduce noise transmission through walls in NZ houses is to be explored.
Undergraduate
A prototype illustrating the Acoustic Black Hole effect
Background in dynamics (MECHENG 222, MECHENG 325)
Experience with Matlab and ANSYS or similar
Dynamics & Control Lab (405.852, Lab)