The ARG (Acoustic Research Group) at the University of Canterbury has a goal to image objects buried under the seafloor. In order to image these objects, accurate models and a good understanding of the acoustic parameters of the seafloor are needed. The relevant acoustic parameters to model the seafloor include: physical classification, speed of sound, acoustic impedance, density, and roughness. Acquiring accurate acoustic parameters for the seafloor is a challenging task that requires different approaches depending on the environment, especially in locations with low visibility. This thesis looks at a non-invasive method of acoustically examining the roughness spectrum and acoustic impedance of the seafloor. To achieve these goals, spherical transducers with a continuous bandwidth between 30 kHz and 130 kHz were chosen to examine the frequency dependent specular and diffused components of the reflection from rough seafloor surfaces. Using spherical transducers allows the surface scattering to be examined independently of the transducer beam-pattern. This thesis examines the range and validity of the tools required to make these measurements and presents empirical results measured in the controlled environment of a cylindrical 3.5m diameter by 2m deep sonar test tank. Using results from the sonar test tank, this thesis demonstrates that the acoustic impedance, speed of sound, and density of the material of the seafloor can be measured from a single seafloor realisation measured at multiple angles, provided the seafloor material has a critical angle. Additionally, this thesis demonstrates that the spectrum of the specular and diffused components of the rough-surface reflection requires averaging multiple seafloor realisations to be statistically relevant. As well as describing the benefits of using spherical transducers, this thesis presents some of the problems and potential solutions for future applications.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.160-163).

This thesis is concerned with the problem of estimating broadband acoustic impedance from normal incidence reflection seismograms. This topic is covered by following the linear inverse formalisms described by Parker (1977) and Oldenburg (1980). The measured seismogram is modelled as a convolution of subsurface reflectivity with a source wavelet. Then an appraisal of the seismogram is performed to obtain unique bandlimited reflectivity information. This bandlimited reflecitivity information is then utilized in two different construction algorithms which provide a broadband estimate of reflectivity; from which a broadband impedance function may be computed. The first construction method is a maximum entropy method which uses an autoregressive representation of a small portion of the reflectivity spectrum to predict spectral values outside that small portion. The second and most versatile construction method is the linear programming approach of Levy and Fullagar (1981) which utilizes the unique bandlimited spectral information obtained from an appraisal and provides a broadband reflectivity function which has a minimum 1( norm. Both methods have been tested on synthetic and real seismic data and have shown good success at recovering interpretable broadband impedance models. Errors in the data and the uniqueness of constructed reflectivity models play important roles in estimating the impedance function and in assessing its uniqueness. The Karhunen-Loeve transformation is discussed and applied on real data to stabilize the construction results in the presence of noise. The generally accepted idea that low frequency impedance information must be supplied from well log or velocity analyses because of the bandlimited nature of seismic data has been challenged. When accurate, bandlimited reflectivity information can be recovered from the seismic trace, then an interpretable, broadband impedance model may be recovered using the two construction algorithms presented in this thesis. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

 There are two concentrations in this project. One is to explore the possibility to construct negative acoustic impedance by electronic techniques, and the other is to see whether such method can be utilized to build effective sound absorber using electromagnetic actuator (here we adopt the moving-coil loudspeaker as sample) with a shunt circuit. Our study begins with analytical analysis, and the result shows that it is impossible to gain independent control of basic acoustic impedance components (mass, stiffness and damping) by simple circuits. Two alternative designs are put forward as a compromise. One is the series circuit with NIC to simulate the negative acoustic impedance, and another is the series-parallel circuit with NIC. Theoretical prediction shows that we can indeed obtain broadband negative mass and local negative stiffness by these two types of circuits, and that we can achieve broadband noise control with simple electronic shunt circuits despite fact that completely independent control over each parameter is not possible. We argue that these conclusions represent significant technological and economic advantage worthy of further development. All analytical results are validated by experiments with satisfactory agreement. The sample loudspeaker with shunt circuit is tested with acoustic impedance tube. The rig consists of a DC powered op-amp circuit and a loudspeaker. An efficient Matlab code controls the excitation sound generation and data acquisition with AD/DA cards. Two typical and most interesting results are summarized here. In the first, a series type circuit with NIC is used to construct negative equivalent mass and local (banded in frequency domain) negative stiffness. We experimentally demonstrated that it is rather easy to reduce original mass of the loudspeaker to half of its original value and it could be reduced to almost zero. This is evidenced by a very flat sound absorption coefficient curve from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz. The second circuit is a series-parallel circuit. It’s an improved design from the first type. This type of circuit can, to a certain extent, decouple the stiffness and mass controls. The results show that we can reduce mass globally (in the frequency domain) and stiffness at low frequencies. The original mass of the sample loudspeaker is almost eliminated and the stiffness at low frequencies is reduced too. In terms of the spectrum of sound absorption coefficient, it manifests itself through a broadband absorption with prominent improvement in the low frequency region. Finally, potential applications for our designs are discussed. A tunable low frequency resonance absorber is designed. Prediction results point out that, by choosing the right parameters of the circuit, we can achieve 100% absorption at any given low frequency. Thin absorber is another potential application. With the same dimension, the performance of a thin absorber is much better than that of the standard sound absorption construction. A 90% noise absorption from 300Hz-600Hz and 50% absorption from 250Hz-1000Hz is achieved by our new design. The dimension can be further reduced in theory. Finally, a broad-band absorber with 50% or more absorption over 80Hz-1000Hz is demonstrated. / published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

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Thesis (Ph.D.)-- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 182-190. Also available electronically.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2000? / Bibliography: leaves 182-190. Also available in print form.

1) Test the accuracy of the Welch Allyn Microtympanometer against standard tympanometry. 2) Correlate preoperative clinical findings with: • Microtympanometry • Standard tympanometry 3) Assess influence of induction by gas anaesthesia on: • Post-induction microtympanometry • Intraoperative myringotomy findings 4) Assess the practicality of using the Welch Allyn Microtympanometer as a screening tool in Pre-School audiological testing.

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