Journal Description
Acoustics
Acoustics
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on acoustics science and engineering, published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within ESCI (Web of Science), Scopus, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Acoustics and Ultrasonics)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 19.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
1.3 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
1.9 (2023)
Latest Articles
Acoustic Analysis of a Hybrid Propulsion System for Drone Applications
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 698-712; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030038 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
This paper aims to conduct an acoustic analysis through noise measurements of a hybrid propulsion system intended for implementation on a drone, from which the main noise sources can be identified for further research on noise reduction techniques. Additionally, the noise was characterized
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This paper aims to conduct an acoustic analysis through noise measurements of a hybrid propulsion system intended for implementation on a drone, from which the main noise sources can be identified for further research on noise reduction techniques. Additionally, the noise was characterized by performing spectral analysis and identifying the tonal components that contribute to the overall noise. The propelling force system consists of a micro-turboshaft coupled with a gearbox connected to an electric generator. The propulsion system consists of a micro-turboshaft coupled with a gearbox connected to an electric generator. The electric current produced by the generator powers an electric ducted fan (EDF). The engineturbo-engine was tested in free-field conditions for noise generation at different speeds, and for this, an array of microphones was installed, positioned polarly around the system and near the intake and exhaust. Consequently, based on the test results, the acoustic directivity was plotted, revealing that the highest noise levels are at the front and rear of the engine. The noise level at a distance of 1.5 m from the turboengine exceeds 90 dBA at all tested speeds. Spectral analyses of both the far-field acoustic signals (measured with a polar microphone array) and the near-field signals (microphones positioned near the intake and exhaust) revealed that the primary contributors to the overall noise are the micromotor’s compressor, specifically the gas dynamic phenomena in the fan (BPF and 2× BPF). Thus, it was determined that at the intake level, the main noise contribution comes from the high-frequency components of the compressor, while at the exhaust level, the noise mainly originates from the combustion chamber, characterized by low-frequency components (up to 2 kHz). The findings from this study have practical applications in the design and development of quieter drone propulsion systems. By identifying and targeting the primary noise sources, engineers can implement effective noise reduction strategies, leading to drones that are less disruptive in urban environments and other noise-sensitive areas. This can enhance the acceptance and deployment of drone technology in various sectors, including logistics, surveillance, and environmental monitoring.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machinery Noise: Emission, Modelling and Control)
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Open AccessArticle
Application of Machine Learning Techniques for Predicting Students’ Acoustic Evaluation in a University Library
by
Dadi Zhang, Kwok-Wai Mui, Massimiliano Masullo and Ling-Tim Wong
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 681-697; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030037 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Understanding students’ acoustic evaluation in learning environments is crucial for identifying acoustic issues, improving acoustic conditions, and enhancing academic performance. However, predictive models are not specifically tailored to predict students’ acoustic evaluations, particularly in educational settings. To bridge this gap, the present study
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Understanding students’ acoustic evaluation in learning environments is crucial for identifying acoustic issues, improving acoustic conditions, and enhancing academic performance. However, predictive models are not specifically tailored to predict students’ acoustic evaluations, particularly in educational settings. To bridge this gap, the present study conducted a field investigation in a university library, including a measurement and questionnaire survey. Using the collected personal information, room-related parameters, and sound pressure levels as input, six machine learning models (Support Vector Machine–Radial Basis Function (SVM (RBF)), Support Vector Machine–Sigmoid (SVM (Sigmoid)), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), and Naïve Bayes (NB)) were trained to predict students’ acoustic acceptance/satisfaction. The performance of these models was evaluated using five metrics, allowing for a comparative analysis. The results revealed that the models better predicted acoustic acceptance than acoustic satisfaction. Notably, the RF and GBM models exhibited the highest performance, with accuracies of 0.87 and 0.84, respectively, in predicting acoustic acceptance. Conversely, the SVM models performed poorly and were not recommended for acoustic quality prediction. The findings of this study demonstrated the feasibility of employing machine learning models to predict occupants’ acoustic evaluations, thereby providing valuable insights for future acoustic assessments.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acoustical Comfort in Educational Buildings)
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Open AccessArticle
A Study on Adaptive Implicit–Explicit and Explicit–Explicit Time Integration Procedures for Wave Propagation Analyses
by
Delfim Soares, Jr., Isabelle de Souza Sales, Lucas Ruffo Pinto and Webe João Mansur
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 651-680; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030036 - 23 Jul 2024
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This study delves into the effectiveness of two time integration techniques, namely the adaptive implicit–explicit (imp–exp) and explicit–explicit (exp–exp) methods, which stand as efficient formulations for tackling intricate systems characterized by multiple time scales. The imp–exp technique combines implicit and explicit procedures by
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This study delves into the effectiveness of two time integration techniques, namely the adaptive implicit–explicit (imp–exp) and explicit–explicit (exp–exp) methods, which stand as efficient formulations for tackling intricate systems characterized by multiple time scales. The imp–exp technique combines implicit and explicit procedures by employing implicit formulations for faster components and explicit calculations for slower ones, achieving high accuracy and computational efficiency. Conversely, the exp–exp method, a variation of explicit methods with sub-cycling, excels in handling locally stiff systems by employing smaller sub-steps to resolve rapid changes while maintaining stability. For both these approaches, numerical damping may be activated by adaptive time integration parameters, allowing numerical dissipation to be locally applied, if necessary, as a function of the considered discrete model and its computed responses, enabling a highly effective numerical dissipative algorithm. Furthermore, both these techniques stand as very simple and straightforward formulations as they rely solely on single-step displacement–velocity relations, describing truly self-starting procedures, and they stand as entirely automated methodologies, requiring no effort nor expertise from the user. This work provides comparative studies of the adaptive imp–exp and exp–exp approaches to assess their accuracy and efficiency across a wide range of scenarios, with emphasis on geophysical applications characterized by multiscale problems, aiming to establish under which circumstances one approach should be preferred over the other.
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Open AccessArticle
Silent Neonatal Incubators, Prototype Nica+
by
Ricardo Hernández-Molina, Virginia Puyana-Romero, Juan Luis Beira-Jiménez, Arturo Morgado-Estévez, Rafael Bienvenido-Bárcena and Francisco Fernández-Zacarías
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 638-650; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030035 - 15 Jul 2024
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the noise levels in current incubator models and a prototype designed to improve acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators. Methods: Tests were carried out on three different models of incubators and a prototype
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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the noise levels in current incubator models and a prototype designed to improve acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators. Methods: Tests were carried out on three different models of incubators and a prototype called Neonatal Incubator Acoustic Comfort Class (NICA). The tests measured both internal and external sound pressure levels under laboratory conditions. The noise index has been taken as the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq,T) for a time interval of 1 min. Results: The results obtained show variations between the different models of incubators, although, overall, they are high values (around 56/60 dBA). The results prove that premature newborns under normal conditions of using these incubators are exposed to noise levels above international recommendations. The new incubator design minimizes noise generation and generates noise levels lower than international recommendations. Conclusions: The results obtained from the prototype (NICA+) show the effectiveness of the proposed design in improving acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators. The data show that the noise levels generated by the prototype under normal operating conditions are significantly lower than international recommendations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vibration and Noise (2nd Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
Measurement and Simulation of the Propagation of Impulsive Acoustic Emission Sources in Pipes
by
Chika Judith Abolle-Okoyeagu, Samuel Fatukasi and Bob Reuben
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 620-637; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030034 - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
Acoustic Emission (AE) testing is a non-destructive evaluation technique that has gained significant attention in pipeline monitoring. Pencil-lead breaks (PLBs) are commonly used in reproducing and characterising sensors used in AE applications and have emerged as a valuable tool for calibration processes. This
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Acoustic Emission (AE) testing is a non-destructive evaluation technique that has gained significant attention in pipeline monitoring. Pencil-lead breaks (PLBs) are commonly used in reproducing and characterising sensors used in AE applications and have emerged as a valuable tool for calibration processes. This technique involves breaking a pencil lead by pressing it on the surface of the test structure and applying a bending moment at a given angle on a surface. The applied force produces a local deformation on the test surface, which is released when the lead breaks. The fracture in these PLBs is assumed to be a step unload; however, this is not the case. In this work, a series of PLB source experiments complemented with parallel numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the actual unload rate by correlating the relationship between AE speed, frequency, and power from PLBs. This was achieved by varying the simulation unload rates recorded over a duration of 2 s on a steel pipe and comparing to the experiment. Analysis of the investigated results from the experimental and numerical models suggests that although the AE line structure of a PLB can be reproduced by simulation for short times only (1 µs), the actual unload rate for PLBs is in the region of 10–8 s. It is concluded that FEA has the potential to help in the recovery of the temporal structure from real AE structures. The establishment of this model will provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the monitoring of non-impulsive AE sources such as impact on pipelines using finite element analysis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Duct Acoustics)
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Open AccessArticle
On the Applicability of Kramers–Kronig Dispersion Relations to Guided and Surface Waves
by
Victor V. Krylov
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 610-619; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030033 - 29 Jun 2024
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In unbounded media, the acoustic attenuation as function of frequency is related to the frequency-dependent sound velocity (dispersion) via Kramers–Kronig dispersion relations. These relations are fundamentally important for better understanding of the nature of attenuation and dispersion and as a tool in physical
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In unbounded media, the acoustic attenuation as function of frequency is related to the frequency-dependent sound velocity (dispersion) via Kramers–Kronig dispersion relations. These relations are fundamentally important for better understanding of the nature of attenuation and dispersion and as a tool in physical acoustics measurements, where they can be used for control purposes. However, physical acoustic measurements are frequently carried out not in unbounded media but in acoustic waveguides, e.g., inside liquid-filled pipes. Surface acoustic waves are also often used for physical acoustics measurements. In the present work, the applicability of Kramers–Kronig relations to guided and surface waves is investigated using the approach based on the theory of functions of complex variables. It is demonstrated that Kramers–Kronig relations have limited applicability to guided and surface waves. In particular, they are not applicable to waves propagating in waveguides characterised by the possibility of wave energy leakage from the waveguides into the surrounding medium. For waveguides without leakages, e.g., those formed by rigid walls, Kramers–Kronig relations remain valid for both ideal and viscous liquids. Examples of numerical calculations of wave dispersion and attenuation using Kramers–Kronig relations, where applicable, are presented for unbounded media and for waveguides formed by two rigid walls.
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Open AccessArticle
Ultrasonic Study of Longitudinal Critically Refracted and Bulk Waves of the Heat-Affected Zone of a Low-Carbon Steel Welded Joint under Fatigue
by
Alexander Gonchar, Alexander Solovyov and Vyacheslav Klyushnikov
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 593-609; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030032 - 29 Jun 2024
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Currently, ultrasonic methods for assessing the fatigue lifetime of various structural materials are being actively developed. Many steel constructions are made by welding. The weld heat-affected zone is the weak point of the construction, as it is most susceptible to destruction. Therefore, it
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Currently, ultrasonic methods for assessing the fatigue lifetime of various structural materials are being actively developed. Many steel constructions are made by welding. The weld heat-affected zone is the weak point of the construction, as it is most susceptible to destruction. Therefore, it is actually important to search for acoustic parameters that uniquely characterize the structural damage accumulation in the heat-affected zone of a welded joint in order to predict failure. In this work, the specimens were made from the base metal and the welded joint’s heat-affected zone. The specimens were subjected to uniaxial tension–compression under a symmetrical cycle in the region of low-cycle fatigue with control of the strain amplitude. The propagation bulk velocities of longitudinal, shear waves and subsurface longitudinal critically refracted (LCR) waves during cyclic loading were studied. The acoustic birefringence of shear waves was calculated, and a similar parameter was proposed for longitudinal and LCR waves. The dependence of the elastic modulus ratio on the cycle ratio was obtained. It was shown that the acoustic parameters change most intensively in the heat-affected zone. According to the data of the C33/C55 ratio changes measured through the ultrasonic method, a formula for calculating the remaining fatigue life in the heat-affected zone was proposed.
Full article
![](https://pub.mdpi-res.com/acoustics/acoustics-06-00032/article_deploy/html/images/acoustics-06-00032-g001-550.jpg?1719997976)
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Open AccessArticle
A New CPX Drum Test to Obtain Sound Pressure Levels of Tyre Noise for Type Approval
by
David Clar-Garcia, Hector Campello-Vicente, Nuria Campillo-Davo, Miguel Sanchez-Lozano and Emilio Velasco-Sanchez
Acoustics 2024, 6(3), 579-592; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6030031 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
The primary cause of noise from vehicular traffic while travelling at speeds over 30 km/h is tyre/road interaction. To reduce this noise source, tyre/road sound emissions research has been carried out using different approaches. Most of this research has been centred around track
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The primary cause of noise from vehicular traffic while travelling at speeds over 30 km/h is tyre/road interaction. To reduce this noise source, tyre/road sound emissions research has been carried out using different approaches. Most of this research has been centred around track tests, leading to the development of various track and road-based methods for evaluating tyre/road noise emissions. The CPX (Close-Proximity), along with the CPB (Controlled Pass-By), the CB (Coast-By) and the SPB (Statistical Pass-By), methods are the most common ones. Nevertheless, since Reg. (EC) 1222/2009 came into force, only the CB method, defined in Reg. (EC) 117/2007, can be used to obtain tyre/road noise emission type approval values in Europe. However, current track test methods have important limitations, such as the variability of the results depending on the test track or the test vehicle, the repeatability, the influence of environmental variables or, the main aspect, the limitation of the registered magnitude in these tests, which is the sound pressure level. The Alternative Drum test method (A-DR) was developed in 2015 in order to avoid these disadvantages. However, it involves a complex and time-consuming microphone array for each test. With the purpose of improving the A-DR test method, a new methodology based on drum tests, the ISO 11819-2 and the ISO 3744 standards, was developed. This paper describes the new Alternative CPX Drum test method (A-CPX-DR) and validates it by testing several tyres according to the CB, the A-DR and the A-CPX-DR test methods and comparing their results. This research has demonstrated that all three methods have equivalent sound spectra and obtain close equivalent sound pressure levels for type approval of tyres in the EU, while drum tests have shown greater accuracy. For both reasons, the new A-CPX-DR methodology could be used for tyre/road noise emission type approval in a more precise and cheaper way.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vibration and Noise (2nd Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
Acoustic Analyses of L1 and L2 Vowel Interactions in Mandarin–Cantonese Late Bilinguals
by
Yike Yang
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 568-578; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020030 - 17 Jun 2024
Abstract
While the focus of bilingual research is frequently on simultaneous or early bilingualism, the interactions between late bilinguals’ first language (L1) and second language (L2) have rarely been studied previously. To fill this research gap, the aim of the current study was to
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While the focus of bilingual research is frequently on simultaneous or early bilingualism, the interactions between late bilinguals’ first language (L1) and second language (L2) have rarely been studied previously. To fill this research gap, the aim of the current study was to investigate the production of vowels in the L1 Mandarin and L2 Cantonese of Mandarin–Cantonese late bilinguals in Hong Kong. A production experiment was conducted with 22 Mandarin–Cantonese bilinguals, as well as with 20 native Mandarin speakers and 21 native Cantonese speakers. Acoustic analyses, including formants of and Euclidean distances between the vowels, were performed. Both vowel category assimilation and dissimilation were noted in the Mandarin–Cantonese bilinguals’ L1 and L2 vowel systems, suggesting interactions between the bilinguals’ L1 and L2 vowel categories. In general, the findings are in line with the hypotheses of the Speech Learning Model and its revised version, which state that L1–L2 phonetic interactions are inevitable, as there is a common phonetic space for storing the L1 and L2 phonetic categories, and that learners always have the ability to adapt their phonetic space. Future studies should refine the data elicitation method, increase the sample size and include more language pairs to better understand L1 and L2 phonetic interactions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Acoustic Phonetic Research)
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Open AccessArticle
The Effect of an Emotionalizing Sound Design on the Driver’s Choice of Headway in a Driving Simulator
by
Manuel Petersen, Barbara Deml and Albert Albers
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 541-567; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020029 - 10 Jun 2024
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This study investigates the impact of emotionalizing sound design on driving behaviour, focusing on the effect of an acoustic stimulus that varies from positive to negative/threatening based on the vehicle’s time headway (THW). Our primary goal was to explore how this sound influences
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This study investigates the impact of emotionalizing sound design on driving behaviour, focusing on the effect of an acoustic stimulus that varies from positive to negative/threatening based on the vehicle’s time headway (THW). Our primary goal was to explore how this sound influences driving durations within specific THW ranges and the mean THW itself. The experiment utilized a control group and a within-participant setting across simulated driving scenarios. The statistical analysis showed mixed results. While participants in the control group setup did not demonstrate significant reductions in the durations of driving in lower THW ranges, a modest but significant increase in mean THW was observed when the emotionalizing sound was active. However, within-participant comparisons showed both a significant decrease in the duration of driving at lower THWs and an increase in mean THW when the negative stimulus was active, suggesting the stimulus’ effectiveness in promoting safer driving habits. These findings highlight the potential of emotionalizing sound design to influence driver behaviour towards maintaining safer distances, although the impact appears to diminish at higher THW ranges. Future research should further investigate the characteristics of sounds that effectively modify driving behaviour, aiming for broader applications in traffic safety.
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Open AccessArticle
Prediction of Time Domain Vibro-Acoustic Response of Conical Shells Using Jacobi–Ritz Boundary Element Method
by
Cong Gao, Jiajun Zheng, Fuzhen Pang, Jiawei Xu, Haichao Li and Jibing Yan
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 523-540; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020028 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Considering the lack of studies on the transient vibro-acoustic properties of conical shell structures, a Jacobi–Ritz boundary element method for forced vibro-acoustic behaviors of structure is proposed based on the Newmark-β integral method and the Kirchhoff time domain boundary integral equation. Based on
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Considering the lack of studies on the transient vibro-acoustic properties of conical shell structures, a Jacobi–Ritz boundary element method for forced vibro-acoustic behaviors of structure is proposed based on the Newmark-β integral method and the Kirchhoff time domain boundary integral equation. Based on the idea of the differential element method and the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), the vibro-acoustic model of conical shells is established. The axial and circumferential displacement tolerance functions are expressed using Jacobi polynomials and the Fourier series. The time domain response of the forced vibration of conical shells is calculated based on the Rayleigh–Ritz method and Newmark-β integral method. On this basis, the time domain response of radiated noise is solved based on the Kirchhoff integral equation, and the acoustic radiation characteristics of conical shells from forced vibration are analyzed. Compared with the coupled FEM/BEM method, the numerical results demonstrate the high accuracy and great reliability of this method. Furthermore, the semi-vertex angle, load characteristics, and boundary conditions related to the vibro-acoustic response of conical shells are examined.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Duct Acoustics)
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Open AccessArticle
Acoustic Properties of Surfaces Covered by Multipole Resonators
by
Nikolay Kanev
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 509-522; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020027 - 25 May 2024
Abstract
Different types of resonators are used to create acoustic metamaterials and metasurfaces. Recent studies focused on the use of multiple resonators of the dipole, quadrupole, octupole, and even hexadecapole types. This paper considers the theory of an acoustic metasurface, which is a flat
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Different types of resonators are used to create acoustic metamaterials and metasurfaces. Recent studies focused on the use of multiple resonators of the dipole, quadrupole, octupole, and even hexadecapole types. This paper considers the theory of an acoustic metasurface, which is a flat surface with a periodic arrangement of multipole resonators. The sound field reflected by the metasurface is determined. If the distance between the resonators is less than half the wavelength of the incident plane wave, the far field can be described by a reflection coefficient that depends on the angle of incidence. This allows us to characterize the acoustic properties of the metasurface by a homogenized boundary condition, which is a high-order tangential impedance boundary condition. The tangential impedance depending on the multipole order of the resonators is introduced. In addition, we analyze the sound absorption properties of these metasurfaces, which are a critical factor in determining their performance. The paper presents a theoretical model for the subwavelength case that accounts for the multipole orders of resonators and their impact on sound absorption. The maximum absorption coefficient for a diffuse sound field, as well as the optimal value for the homogenized impedance, are calculated for arbitrary multipole orders. The examples of the multipole resonators, which can be made from a set of Helmholtz resonators or membrane resonators, are discussed as well.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resonators in Acoustics (2nd Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
Atmospheric Sound Propagation over Rough Sea: Numerical Evaluation of Equivalent Acoustic Impedance of Varying Sea States
by
Andrea Vecchiotti, Teresa J. Ryan, Joseph F. Vignola and Diego Turo
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 489-508; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020026 - 23 May 2024
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This work presents a numerical study on atmospheric sound propagation over rough water surfaces with the aim of improving predictions of sound propagation over long distances. A method for generating pseudorandom sea profiles consistent with sea wave spectra is presented. The proposed method
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This work presents a numerical study on atmospheric sound propagation over rough water surfaces with the aim of improving predictions of sound propagation over long distances. A method for generating pseudorandom sea profiles consistent with sea wave spectra is presented. The proposed method is suited for capturing the logarithmic nature of the energy distribution of the waves. Sea profiles representing fully developed seas for sea states 2, 3, 4, and 5 are generated from the Elfouhaily et al. (ECKV) sea wave spectra. Excess attenuation caused by refraction and surface roughness is predicted with a parabolic equation (PE) solver. A novel method for estimating equivalent effective impedance based on PE predictions at different sea states is presented. Parametric expressions using acoustic frequency and significant wave height are developed for effective surface impedances. In this work, sea surface roughness is on a scale comparable with the acoustic wavelength. Under this condition, the acoustic scattering is primarily incoherent. This work shows the limitations of using an equivalent surface impedance in such incoherent scattering cases.
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Open AccessArticle
Training a Filter-Based Model of the Cochlea in the Context of Pre-Trained Acoustic Models
by
Louise Coppieters de Gibson and Philip N. Garner
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 470-488; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020025 - 17 May 2024
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Auditory research aims in general to lead to understanding of physiological processes. By contrast, the state of the art in automatic speech processing (notably recognition) is dominated by large pre-trained models that are meant to be used as black-boxes. In this work, we
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Auditory research aims in general to lead to understanding of physiological processes. By contrast, the state of the art in automatic speech processing (notably recognition) is dominated by large pre-trained models that are meant to be used as black-boxes. In this work, we integrate a physiologically plausible (albeit simple filter-based) model of the cochlea into a much larger pre-trained acoustic model for speech recognition. We show that the hybrid system can be trained and evaluated with various combinations of fine-tuning and self-supervision. The results broadly show that the system automatically yields structures that are known to work well. Moreover, these structures lack artifacts that were apparent in (our) previous work using less sophisticated neural models. We conclude that the hybrid structure is an appropriate way to proceed in auditory research, more generally allowing the work to take advantage of larger models and databases from which it would not otherwise benefit.
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Open AccessArticle
Enhancing Speaker Recognition Models with Noise-Resilient Feature Optimization Strategies
by
Neha Chauhan, Tsuyoshi Isshiki and Dongju Li
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 439-469; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020024 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
This paper delves into an in-depth exploration of speaker recognition methodologies, with a primary focus on three pivotal approaches: feature-level fusion, dimension reduction employing principal component analysis (PCA) and independent component analysis (ICA), and feature optimization through a genetic algorithm (GA) and the
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This paper delves into an in-depth exploration of speaker recognition methodologies, with a primary focus on three pivotal approaches: feature-level fusion, dimension reduction employing principal component analysis (PCA) and independent component analysis (ICA), and feature optimization through a genetic algorithm (GA) and the marine predator algorithm (MPA). This study conducts comprehensive experiments across diverse speech datasets characterized by varying noise levels and speaker counts. Impressively, the research yields exceptional results across different datasets and classifiers. For instance, on the TIMIT babble noise dataset (120 speakers), feature fusion achieves a remarkable speaker identification accuracy of 92.7%, while various feature optimization techniques combined with K nearest neighbor (KNN) and linear discriminant (LD) classifiers result in a speaker verification equal error rate (SV EER) of 0.7%. Notably, this study achieves a speaker identification accuracy of 93.5% and SV EER of 0.13% on the TIMIT babble noise dataset (630 speakers) using a KNN classifier with feature optimization. On the TIMIT white noise dataset (120 and 630 speakers), speaker identification accuracies of 93.3% and 83.5%, along with SV EER values of 0.58% and 0.13%, respectively, were attained utilizing PCA dimension reduction and feature optimization techniques (PCA-MPA) with KNN classifiers. Furthermore, on the voxceleb1 dataset, PCA-MPA feature optimization with KNN classifiers achieves a speaker identification accuracy of 95.2% and an SV EER of 1.8%. These findings underscore the significant enhancement in computational speed and speaker recognition performance facilitated by feature optimization strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Acoustic Phonetic Research)
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Open AccessArticle
Angular Integral Autocorrelation for Speed Estimation in Shear-Wave Elastography
by
Hamidreza Asemani, Irteza Enan Kabir, Juvenal Ormachea, Marvin M. Doyley, Jannick P. Rolland and Kevin J. Parker
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 413-438; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020023 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
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The utilization of a reverberant shear-wave field in shear-wave elastography has emerged as a promising technique for achieving robust shear-wave speed (SWS) estimation. However, many types of estimators cannot accurately measure SWS within such a complicated 3D wave field. This study introduces an
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The utilization of a reverberant shear-wave field in shear-wave elastography has emerged as a promising technique for achieving robust shear-wave speed (SWS) estimation. However, many types of estimators cannot accurately measure SWS within such a complicated 3D wave field. This study introduces an advanced autocorrelation estimator based on angular integration known as the angular integral autocorrelation (AIA) approach to address this issue. The AIA approach incorporates all the autocorrelation data from various angles during measurements, resulting in enhanced robustness to both noise and imperfect distributions in SWS estimation. The effectiveness of the AIA estimator for SWS estimation is first validated using a k-Wave simulation of a stiff branching tube in a uniform background. Furthermore, the AIA estimator is applied to ultrasound elastography experiments, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) studies across a range of different excitation frequencies on tissues and phantoms, including in vivo scans. The results verify the capacity of the AIA approach to enhance the accuracy of SWS estimation and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), even within an imperfect reverberant shear-wave field. Compared to simple autocorrelation approaches, the AIA approach can also successfully visualize and define lesions while significantly improving the estimated SWS and SNR in homogeneous background materials and providing improved elastic contrast between structures within the scans. These findings demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the AIA approach across a wide range of applications, including ultrasound elastography, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and optical coherence elastography (OCE), for accurately identifying the elastic properties of biological tissues in diverse excitation scenarios.
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Open AccessEditorial
Acoustics, Soundscapes and Sounds as Intangible Heritage
by
Lidia Alvarez-Morales and Margarita Díaz-Andreu
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 408-412; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020022 - 2 May 2024
Abstract
Since UNESCO unveiled its declaration for an integrated approach to safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage in 2003 [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acoustics, Soundscapes and Sounds as Intangible Heritage)
Open AccessArticle
Effect of Emotionalizing Sounds on the Estimation and Evaluation of Displayed Safety Distances
by
Manuel Petersen, Deniz Yüksel and Albert Albers
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 386-407; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020021 - 30 Apr 2024
Cited by 1
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Musicological and traffic psychology research shows that emotions can be changed by certain tone combinations or sound characteristics and that emotions, in turn, influence our driving behavior. Nevertheless, there are no studies on how a dynamic active sound design could influence driving behavior
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Musicological and traffic psychology research shows that emotions can be changed by certain tone combinations or sound characteristics and that emotions, in turn, influence our driving behavior. Nevertheless, there are no studies on how a dynamic active sound design could influence driving behavior via changing the emotional state of drivers in certain driving situations. Based on a previous study, emotionalizing sounds, characterized by their capacity to evoke specific emotional responses in individuals, were created and used to investigate their effect on the perception of safety distances in an online study. To test this, participants made statements on the safety distance shown in videos of cars following scenarios combined with emotionalizing sounds. The results show a significant difference in the estimated safety distance for videos combined with sounds invoking positive emotions like light-heartedness vs. sounds invoking negative emotions like feeling threatened. The odds of the safety distance being evaluated as too small compared with appropriate were two to three times higher for some threatening sounds vs. the positive sounds. The results further suggest that threatening sounds influenced participants’ wishes to increase the depicted safety distances. The results show that emotionalizing sounds had effects on the participants, though not all were statistically significant.
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Open AccessArticle
Modelling of Propagation Characteristics of Acoustic Pulse from Partial Discharge in Polymeric Insulating Materials
by
Abdul Samad, Wah Hoon Siew, Martin J. Given, Igor V. Timoshkin and John Liggat
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 374-385; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020020 - 26 Apr 2024
Abstract
The partial discharge (PD) event in high-voltage insulation releases energy, exerts mechanical pressure, and generates elastic waves. Detecting and locating these PD events through short-duration acoustic pulses is well established, particularly in gas-insulated systems and oil-insulated transformers. However, its full potential remains untapped
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The partial discharge (PD) event in high-voltage insulation releases energy, exerts mechanical pressure, and generates elastic waves. Detecting and locating these PD events through short-duration acoustic pulses is well established, particularly in gas-insulated systems and oil-insulated transformers. However, its full potential remains untapped in solid insulation systems, where the propagation capability of the acoustic pulse and the acoustic reflections pose fundamental challenges to the acoustic emission (AE) detection technique. This study investigates the influence of reflections and multiple paths on the propagating acoustic pulse in polymeric insulating materials using a finite element method (FEM) in COMSOL. It was observed that the reflections from the boundary influence the propagating pulse’s shape, peak magnitude, and arrival time. An analytical MATLAB model further quantifies the impact of multiple propagation paths on the shape, magnitude, and arrival time of the pulse travelling in a cylinder. Additionally, a Perfect Matched Layer (PML) was implemented in the COMSOL model to eliminate the reflections from the boundary, and it revealed that the acoustic pulse magnitude decreases with distance following the inverse square law. In essence, the models aid in measuring how reflections contribute to the observed signals, facilitating the precise identification of the source of the PD event in the tested system.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Industrial and Research Applications of Acoustic Emission Testing)
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Open AccessArticle
Tunnel Effect for Ultrasonic Waves in Tapered Waveguides
by
Massimo Germano
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 362-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020019 - 24 Apr 2024
Abstract
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Traversal time in the tunneling effect for ultrasonic waves in tapered waveguides is derived considering its analogy with quantum and electromagnetic wave tunneling. If, as traversal time, the so-called phase time is considered, the ultrasonic wave packet shows the equivalent in acoustics of
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Traversal time in the tunneling effect for ultrasonic waves in tapered waveguides is derived considering its analogy with quantum and electromagnetic wave tunneling. If, as traversal time, the so-called phase time is considered, the ultrasonic wave packet shows the equivalent in acoustics of superluminality, i.e., the derived velocity, crosses the limit of bulk transverse ultrasonic waves in the medium of the waveguide that is the equivalent of c in the quantum and electromagnetic cases. The graphs clearly illustrating this so-called Hartman effect are obtained confirming the experimental results in the three different fields.
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