Bio-Inspired Ultra-Compact Acoustic Transmitter - Bubbles as a Means of Weak-Source Amplification

The applicant has a formal offer for a fully-funded studentship in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Ultrasonic Engineering (FUSE) is a partnership between the Centre for Medical and Industrial Ultrasonics (CMIU), University of Glasgow and the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering (CUE), University of Strathclyde.

A PhD project has been accepted. The project summary is as follows. There is a growing need for underwater acoustic devices that are small in size compared to the wavelength that they produce. Current methods for high-power transmissions at lower frequencies rely on the use of large displacements or a large radiating area which is not feasible for a truly compact device.

Work has already been done at the Strathclyde Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering in conjunction with Thales Maritime Mission Systems studying the lesser water-boatman male insect (Micronecta scholtzi ) which communicates through efficient generation of underwater sound despite being much smaller than the wavelength of its output. This is achieved by the animal using its air-supply as a secondary amplifier.

The project is to replicate this phenomena.