Research
Academics
Acoustics & Vibrations
Acoustics & Vibrations
Acoustics research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science centers on seven areas:
- Aeroacoustics
- Acoustics of underwater vehicles
- Architectural acoustics
- Sound propagation and absorbing materials
- Structural acoustics
- Vehicle interior noise
- Vibration and acoustics of dynamical systems
Examples of research projects include active control of sound transmission; an intelligent systems approach to active structural acoustic control; structural acoustic control of plates with variable boundary conditions; application of smart structures toward feedback suppression in amplified acoustic guitars; noise reduction in a launch vehicle fairing using actively tuned loudspeakers; a field equation approach to predict energy and intensity of nonuniform time-dependent broadband sound fields in enclosures with diffuse reflection; analytical-numerical matching for fluid-loaded structures with discontinuities; mathematical homogenization applied to structural acoustic systems, and general boundary conditions for bulk-reacting sound absorbing surfaces
Core Faculty:
Linda Franzoni, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs - Dr. Franzoni's research areas include: acoustics, and structural dynamics and vibration. Practical applications of this work include: acoustics of enclosures (rooms or vehicle interiors) and underwater acoustics (acoustic radiation and scattering from submarines).
Donald B. Bliss, Associate Professor - Dr. Bliss' research focuses on fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and structural dynamics
Earl H. Dowell, William Holland Hall Professor - Dr. Hall's research encompasses the broad field of aeroelasticity, acoustics, nonlinear dynamics, structural dynamics, and unsteady aerodynamics.
Kenneth C. Hall, Julian Abele Professor - Dr. Hall's research focues on unsteady aerodynamics, structural dynamics, and aeroelasticity of turbomachinery and aerospace vehicles; novel approaches to modeling complex physical phenomena using computational fluid dynamics; optimization and sensitivity analysis; and fluid dynamics of animal propulsion.
Brian P. Mann, Assistant Professor - Dr. Mann's research focuses on nonlinear dynamics and vibration utilizing analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques; fundamental investigations of phenomenon and application areas where dynamical systems theory plays an important role.
Lawrie Virgin, Professor - Dr. Virgin's research is centered on studying the behavior of nonlinear dynamical systems.
The mission of Duke's Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science educational programs is to provide the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to be successful in the practice of engineering; the preparation necessary to undertake professional registration; an educational preparation for graduate or professional study; and an education background that is the basis for professional growth and leadership throughout a career that may encompass a broad range of endeavors, both technical and non-technical.