acoustic-case-studies | Engineering | University of Southampton

Welcome to our Acoustics research case studies

Sound pervades virtually every aspect of human life. At the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research we study how sound is generated, how it propagates in space, how it can be captured, manipulated, and controlled, and how it is perceived by humans and animals. We use this knowledge to create technologies that improve the way we record and reproduce the sound we like to hear, like speech or music.

We use passive and active control of sound and vibrations to reduce the noise we do not want to hear, like that generated by trains and aircrafts. We strive to improve the quality of life of people with hearing disabilities and help to create a better acoustic environment for humans and animals. We use sound to monitor and reduce carbon emissions and to locate objects underwater (sonar). We invent ways to use ultrasound and bubbles to clean objects and limited water consumption.

Explore our case studies

3D audio and private listening zones

The loudspeaker array technology developed at the ISVR has paved the way to revolutionise the way people enjoy audio, at home and on the move.

Novel advances active noise and vibration control

Active noise and vibration control technologies inject additional energy into systems and use destructive interference through intelligent control system design to reduce unwanted disturbance.

Carbon capture and storage

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is one important tool to reduce anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We are using acoustics to ensure than that these storage sites do not leak.