Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) researchers have developed a device that can reduce noise pollution entering buildings even while windows are wide open.
Designed to be mounted onto window grilles, the device could reduce up to 50 per cent of noise coming from nearby environments such as busy roads, train tracks or from construction activities.
The device uses ‘active noise control’ technology – found in many high-end headphones that cancels external noise – that is adapted to work in a large open area.
The benefits are two-fold: windows can be left open for fresh air without disturbance from external noise pollution and reducing the need for air-conditioning to keep the interiors of buildings and homes cool.
Professor Gan Woon Seng, Director for NTU’s Centre for Infocomm Technology (INFINITUS), who led the research said, “Compared to noise cancellation headphones, what we have achieved is far more technically challenging as we needed to control the noise in a large open area, instead of just around the ear.
This noise cancellation technology is an example of research innovations that NTU is encouraging under its Smart Campus initiative, which aims to improve quality of life for society through the development of new sustainable and technological solutions and by trialling them on its campus first.
Using sound to remove noise
Currently at the prototype stage, the device uses 8 watts of power, similar to a small portable Bluetooth speaker. Several units are placed together to form a grid-like array on a window grille to reduce external noise.
The device uses a special sound emitting mechanism which works like a speaker and is hooked up to a processing unit. Equipped with a microphone, it can detect noise even before it reaches the window and computes the attributes of the incoming noise in real-time.
It quickly emits a countering sound or “anti-noise” that has the same waveform characteristics of the invading noise but with one difference: it is inverted or “flipped”.
When both outside noise and anti-noise converge, they cancel each other out, resulting in a softer ambient sound entering living spaces.
“Our innovation not only computes the right amount and type of “anti-noise” to emit, but also does it faster than the detected noise can reach inside the building,” explained Prof Gan, who teaches at NTU’s School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
The research team conducted the tests using a soundproof chamber at the university’s labs that houses a mock room with windows and doors, resembling a typical room in a home. Various recorded sounds from construction sites, jet engines and trains were used as noise sources during the tests.
They are now developing the technology further by improving its noise cancellation efficiency, making them smaller, and more cost-effective to produce.
Prof Gan said, “We are currently finding ways to improve the technology further so that it can be used not only at window grilles with large openings, but also provide a cost-effective solution that can be easily installed and replaced. Ultimately, we aim to integrate this technology into window grilles that can help mitigate urban noise pollution conveniently.”
The researchers are also working with government agencies in Singapore to further improve the technology to make it viable for commercial and residential applications.
The Latest on: Active noise control technology
[google_news title=”” keyword=”active noise control technology” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Active noise control technology
- Motorola Launches moto buds & moto buds+ in Collaboration with Bose, at an Effective Launch Price of Rs. 3,999 & Rs. 7,999 Respectivelyon May 9, 2024 at 5:02 am
Motorola, the world's leading technology brand, today announced the launch of the moto buds and moto buds+ True Wireless Stereo offerings in India. Expanding beyond smartphones, moto buds family ...
- Moto Buds+, Moto Buds true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation launched, price starts at Rs 4,999on May 9, 2024 at 3:13 am
Motorola launches Moto Buds+ and Moto Buds true wireless earbuds in India with active noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos support, and Bluetooth 5.3. Pric ...
- New Sennheiser ACCENTUM TW Earbuds Sound Great And Are Sensibly Pricedon May 7, 2024 at 2:29 am
These new wireless earbuds from Sennheiser offer a comfortable fit, top-flight sound, great noise canceling and all at a relatively sensible price.
- Noise Control: Fincantieri first with Active Noise Control on cruise shipon May 3, 2024 at 5:01 pm
This technology is called ANC, short for Active Noise Control. In a joint development program between Fincantieri, Trieste, and ABB Flakt Marine, Gothenburg, an active noise control system was ...
- Bliss out with the 6 best noise-canceling headphones of 2024on April 18, 2024 at 12:17 pm
In this case, we recommend a premium pair of noise canceling wireless earbuds. For the best listening, our in-house consumer technology experts ... and impressive active noise cancellation for ...
- Cylinder flow and noise control by active base blowingon April 16, 2024 at 5:59 am
Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, PR China An extensive experimental investigation was undertaken to control the flow and noise characteristics influenced by ...
- The 6 best wireless earbuds for 2024on April 15, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Some offer enhanced spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support and are designed to drown out ambient noise with active noise cancellation ... the best noise cancelling technology you'll find in ...
- The Quiet Danger of Noise-Canceling Headphoneson April 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
They deem everything in your natural environment as “noise” that can be canceled out, allowing you to purely listen to your devices. The technology ... that active noise canceling (ANC ...
- If You Work From Home, Noise-Cancelling Headphones Are A Muston November 9, 2023 at 7:33 pm
Fortunately, active ... the best noise cancelling headphones can be used wirelessly, but they also include a 3.5mm analog cable for wired use. And some headphones use multipoint technology to ...
via Bing News