Hello, I’m Tom I’m excited to be starting my PhD with the CDT in Sustainable Sound Futures at the University of Sheffield. Before joining the CDT I graduated my masters in Aerospace engineering.
Project title: Physics Based Machine Learning Algorithm to Assess the Onset of Amplitude Modulation in Wind Turbine Noise
Project Partner: TNEI Group
University: University of Sheffield
Supervisors: Dr Anton Krynkin and Dr Melika Gul
Briefly, what is your PhD project about?
My project is assessing the onset of amplitude modulation (AM) in wind turbine noise. Amplitude modulation is a phenomenon which results in a low frequency thumping sound far away from the wind farm which is separate from ordinary wind turbine noise. AM is a major cause of disturbances relating to wind farms and is a barrier to further onshore wind projects.
Why is it important to do this research?
The exact physics of what causes amplitude modulation isn’t understood, and so by gaining a further insight into this, we could inform the planning of future wind farms in order to ensure that they do not compromise the wellbeing of people living in areas around wind farms. As well as improving access to safe renewable energy sources.
What drew you to studying this PhD?
During my time studying engineering at Sheffield I fell in love with fluid dynamics and dynamics and was inspired to pursue a career in research. The CDT in sustainable sound futures was an obvious choice for me as it offered a collaborative and communal environment and the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary field and expand my area of expertise with additional training. I was interested in this project in particular because it allows me to build upon the skills and interests I already have as well as introduce me to new fields such as physics informed machine learning. I was also drawn to this PhD because it allows me to work towards finding a solution to a real and serious problem, aiming to both improve peoples living conditions and improve access to safe and renewable energy sources.
What does a Sustainable Sound Future mean to you?
To me sustainable sound futures means ensuring that as technology grows around us, work is done to make sure that noise pollution – an often overlooked but highly impactful form of pollution, does not grow and continue to harm peoples and the environments health.
What were you doing before joining the CDT?
Before joining the CDT I studied an integrated masters in aerospace engineering at the University of Sheffield.
What do you do on a typical PhD day so far?
So far, a typical day involves going into the office and completing training, getting involved with CDT activities and training, and lots of reading.
Tell us a fun acoustic fact!
Through some mediums the speed of sound can exceed the speed of light ( the speed of light through the same medium ).