Nebraska Acoustics Group (NAG)

At our NAG meeting on 2-25-15, we visited the Georgia Tech Margaret Guthman Musical Instrument Competition website.  Also, new PhD student Jay Bliefnick presented on a variable acoustics chamber study that he conducted as an undergraduate student at Colombia College in Chicago.  At our 3-11-15 NAG meeting, Hyun Hong presented an update of his PhD work on perception of reflection density.  We had two acoustic nuggets: one about modeling room acoustics using COMSOL Multiphysics , and the other on Meyer Sound and their impressive Constellation Systems from the New Yorker Magazine.  Only two more meetings left in the school year!

At our first NAG meeting of the year on 1-28-15, Joonhee Lee presented our newly acquired Larson Davis 831 sound level meters to the group – what an improvement over the 824s!  We had two acoustic nuggets, one youtube video (oldie but goodie) showing what an iPhone recorded inside a guitar and the other on Trevor Cox’s recently published text “The Sound Book“.  Madeline Davidson also shared the amazing Cycloramic iPhone app, as featured on the TV show Shark Tank (you must try it).  At our 2-11-15 NAG meeting, Matt Blevins discussed work that he’s been conducting on optimizing transmission loss of metamaterials using genetic algorithms.  We again had two acoustic nuggets to share.  The first from Matt Easlon shows how there are now techniques to create earmolds without touching your ears.  Joonhee Lee shared one that he recently found on how the architect of the new Philharmonie de Paris is boycotting the opening of his hall, stating that it is not complete (because of lack of acoustical tuning among other things!)  Here’s a link to a great panoramic view of that space.

At the 11-12-14 NAG meeting, Brent Kraay presented on the MAE project he is working on under Dr. Ryherd’s advisement, involving sound level measurements taken at NICU units in hospitals.  At the last NAG meeting of the semester on 12-3-14, Sungbeen Cho presented a project that he worked on as an acoustical consultant in Korea, prior to joining UNL, Solgaram Art Hall.  The acoustic nugget focused on a new method that allows ultrasound to penetrate bone and metal.  We also excitedly reported that we are taking advantage of Larson Davis’ offer to trade in our 824 sound level meters for the newer 831 models – just in time for the holidays!