PhD Studentship: Active and Passive Control of Scattered Sound for Room Acoustics

Supervisory Team:    Dr Jordan Cheer & Dr Felix Langfeldt 

Project description

Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship working on the control of sound scattering. The PhD student will join a world-leading research team based within the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton, a member of the Russell Group and ranked in the world’s top 100 Universities. The ISVR was founded in 1963 and is a dedicated Institute for teaching and research in audiology and acoustical engineering. This PhD will be undertaken in the Signal Processing, Audio and Hearing research group, as part of a wider project on the way that sound interacts with objects. This is important in a number of applications, including in room and concert hall acoustics, where adaptive control of scattering can improve the versatility of the acoustic environment. This project will focus on extending previous theoretical work with the aim of realising devices for the control of acoustic scattering. 

Two mechanisms can be used to reduce the acoustic scattering from objects: either by the design of the passive structure or the use of controllable secondary sources for active control. Passive control has traditionally involved surface treatment and recent work on metamaterial coatings has demonstrated how these may be implemented in practice, using elastic layers for example. Active control involves the use of secondary control sources to create a sound field that destructively interferes with the scattered one. This project will focus on exploring practical active and metamaterial-based mechanisms for the realisation of scattering control of structures, with exploration of both the actuation technology and the control strategies, as well as metamaterial treatments. This research will firstly be carried out through theoretical and numerical simulation studies, before moving to practical experimental implementation and testing in the ISVR’s newly refurbished anechoic chamber. 

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Jordan Cheer, Signal Processing, Audio and Hearing Research Group, Email: j.cheer@soton.ac.uk 

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). 

Closing Date: Applications should be received no later than 1 July 2023. 

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £18,551 tax-free per annum for up to 4 years, increasing in line with UKRI rates each year. 

How To Apply

Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Dr Jordan Cheer. 

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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