An investigation into novel and innovative technologies for reductions of acoustic noise in marine environments and their ecological impacts

The project will investigate novel and innovative passive noise attenuation methods in a marine environment, with a focus on sustainable ecological impact. It is expected that the PhD will produce a comprehensive assessment of a broad range of methods of passive noise attenuation. As this is part time, the assessment will be an ongoing investigation as new technologies are created and developed.

The PhD will initially consider the passive attenuation of radiated and fluid-borne noise under different emerging technologies and with scope to assess and quantify their impacts on local marine ecology.

Ships and submarines, as all things, have impacts upon their environments; these signatures may be acoustic or non-acoustic. This radiated acoustic noise may be a passive noise, such as propeller rotation or it may be active such as Sonar scanning. This can have adverse effects upon the local environment through the fauna and flora, in particular marine mammals are particularly susceptible to acoustic stress.

As new technologies arise and develop there is an ever constant need to stay at the forefront of the curve and to sustain and improve products to meet more stringent requirements. With such an emphasis on sustainability for companies it should always be a priority within the business to ensure adherence, and with such an emphasis on stealth within the submarine discipline this is aligned well with department aims