Projects 2026

Explore the Sustainable Sound Futures projects commencing in September 2026. Full project list can be found here.

An acoustics research experiment is set up in a laboratory containing sound-absorbing wall panels. A person stands beside a microphone mounted on a stand and a test panel made of acoustic material. Additional specialised equipment, including a head-shaped acoustic measurement device, is visible on a table in the background. The scene shows a controlled environment for studying sound transmission, recording or acoustic performance.

Communication and Listening Effort for Blind and Partially Sighted People

Project outline Blind and partially sighted people are heavily reliant on gathering information via aural means. However, having reduced visual input increases listening effort. You will either investigate the cocktail party effect for people with sight loss or reducing listening effort […]

A suspended measurement microphone hangs from cables beneath a ceiling fitted with curved wooden acoustic panels. The microphone is positioned among tensioned wires and acoustic treatment elements designed to control sound within the space. The background is softly out of focus, highlighting the microphone and the architectural acoustics features of the room.

Improving the Accuracy of Transfer Path Analysis for Prototyping Vehicles

Project outline Predicting the noise and vibration from complex structures like cars is a common challenge in engineering design. Transfer Path Analysis (TPA) can be used for this NVH work, speeding prototyping and reducing design costs. In TPA, you break down systems into key components, coupling together models of vibration sources, such as […]

An acoustics experiment takes place inside an anechoic chamber lined with large wedge-shaped sound-absorbing panels. A loudspeaker mounted on a stand faces measurement equipment positioned on a tripod, while a researcher stands nearby holding a notebook. The chamber’s geometric foam wedges cover the walls to minimise sound reflections, creating a controlled environment for acoustic testing and measurement.

Improving Noise and Vibration in Cars

Project outline Option A – Advanced acoustic metamaterials for automotive application The sound a car makes is extremely important for customer satisfaction. Acoustic materials are one of the most common […]

Acoustic test chamber with sound-absorbing foam walls, central experimental apparatus, and enclosed measurement equipment.

Low-Frequency Acoustic Metamaterials for Aircraft Noise Reduction

Project outline Aircraft noise remains a major environmental challenge as the aviation industry moves toward quieter and more sustainable propulsion systems. Low-frequency noise, produced by jet engines and fans, is […]

Acoustic testing chamber with sound-absorbing foam walls, measurement equipment, and cable-covered structures.

Vertiport Design and Noise Management for Urban Air Mobility

Project outline As electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft move closer to widespread adoption in future cities, the design of vertiports which are dedicated take-off and landing hubs, has […]

Instrumented model aircraft in a test rig, surrounded by sensors, tubing, and acoustic measurement equipment.

Turbulent Flow Induced Noise Prediction and Modelling

Project outline This PhD project takes on one of the most fascinating challenges in modern aerospace engineering: understanding how turbulent airflows create noise and vibration when they interact with aircraft […]

High-Fidelity CFD and Aeroacoustics Investigation of Turbulent Flow-Induced Noise From Aircraft Landing Gear

Project outline The noise generated by complex aircraft components, such as landing gear systems, presents a significant scientific and engineering challenge. Reducing this noise is crucial as aircraft manufacturers strive […]

Small fixed-wing unmanned aircraft prototype on a workbench, with exposed internal components and detached fuselage section.

Experimental Investigation of Flow-Induced Noise from Aircraft Landing Gear

Project outline Aircraft noise remains a major environmental and public health concern, with landing gear systems representing a significant contributor to the overall noise signature during approach and landing. Understanding […]

A specialised acoustics testing chamber is lined with large wedge-shaped sound-absorbing foam panels on the walls and ceiling. In the centre of the room, a circular array of microphones mounted on a large ring-shaped frame surrounds experimental equipment positioned on a grated floor. Additional sensors, cables and acoustic measurement devices are connected to a test setup near a large opening in the chamber wall. The facility is designed for precision acoustic measurements in a controlled, reflection-free environment.

Propeller and Rotor Broadband Noise

Project outline As urban air mobility continues to develop, electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), drones, and air taxis are expected to transform the way people and goods move […]