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Sustainable strategies for noise mitigation through improved assessment of noise impact and enhanced design of noise barriers

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Bradford has resulted in more accurate and efficient predictions of traffic sound propagation and faster determination of sound reflection effects, enabling more effective design and positioning of noise barriers. Software derived from our research is used in 40 countries to map traffic noise and plan evidence-based targeting of Noise Reduction Devices (NRDs), thus increasing efficiency and sustainability. Beneficiaries include the public, through improved quality of life from reduced noise pollution from transport and wind turbine sound, and governments and public administrations through policy tools to influence noise management. The reach of our research is demonstrated by its incorporation into national and EU-wide policy and guidance on sustainability in design and use of NRDs.

Submitting Institution

University of Bradford

Unit of Assessment

Civil and Construction Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Economics: Applied Economics

Developing tools and products for designing better urban sound environments

Summary of the impact

Theoretical and experimental research on urban sound environments has been carried out by Professor Kang and his team at the University of Sheffield since 1999. This includes acoustic theories and models for urban sound propagation, soundscape theory and framework, and acoustic theories for sustainable building elements. Consequently, they have developed design guides/ tools that have become common standards in professional practice; invented sustainable low-noise products that have led to commercial outputs; organised networks and workshops that have set up the practice agenda for designing better urban sound environments; and delivered keynote presentations to international audiences of planning professionals and government policy-making organisations.

Submitting Institution

University of Sheffield

Unit of Assessment

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Built Environment and Design: Design Practice and Management

Applied Acoustics in the built environment and its broader uptake

Summary of the impact

Applied acoustics in the built environment and its broader uptake is focused on the development and commercial adoption of techniques and technologies resulting from research in applied acoustics, demonstrating the following impact:

  • Developing standard methodologies in the areas of Rain Noise, Building Envelope design, Low Frequency Noise, Structure-borne Sound, Surface Acoustic Diffusion and Multi-porous materials;
  • The adoption of standard practice in local and national government bodies in the UK and internationally, in test houses, the construction industry, consultancies and extending into automotive and aerospace industries;
  • Commercial application of technologies deriving from the research in reducing environmental noise, improving environmental and performance acoustics, bringing economic and environmental benefit.

Submitting Institution

University of Salford

Unit of Assessment

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

MUS02 - The Morning Line

Summary of the impact

The University of York's research in surround sound production, conducted over twenty years, has in recent years been implemented and further developed in The Morning Line, a huge, transportable sculpture by Matthew Ritchie, produced by Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (T-B A21). T-B A21 have to date commissioned thirty professional composers and sound artists of international standing to create new works of sound art for the structure, all realised with software systems developed at York. The installation has been exhibited in large public outdoor spaces in European cities between 2008 and 2012. The Morning Line (TML) integrates into contemporary artistic practice the long-term, York-based research uniting sound reproduction technologies and human spatial perception. The research has, in this way, generated new forms of creative practice, transforming the work of a large number of sound artists and, through repeated, open, long-term public exhibition, contributed to public experience and understanding of sound art and audio perception.

Submitting Institution

University of York

Unit of Assessment

Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Information Systems
Medical and Health Sciences: Neurosciences

Fluid Modelling - Expertise and Software

Summary of the impact

Fluid modelling approaches devised by the Materials and Engineering Research Institute's (MERI's) materials and fluid flow modelling group have impacted on industrial partners, research professionals and outreach recipients. This case study focuses on economic impacts arising from improved understanding which this modelling work has given of commercial products and processes. These include: metal particulate decontamination methods developed by the UK small company Fluid Maintenance Solutions; liquid crystal devices (LCDs) manufactured by the UK SME ZBD Displays; and an ink-droplet dispenser module originally invented at the multinational Kodak. Additionally, the modelling group's computer simulation algorithms have been adopted by industrial research professionals and made available via STFC Daresbury's internationally distributed software package DL_MESO. Finally, the group has developed, presented and disseminated simulation-based materials and visualisations at major public understanding of science (PUS) events.

Submitting Institution

Sheffield Hallam University

Unit of Assessment

Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Applied Mathematics
Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

Identification and Active Control of Multiple Sources of Sound

Summary of the impact

Work at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) has led to a sophisticated new understanding of a number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) problems in acoustics. The effects are wide ranging, attracting heavyweight industry sponsors and driving valuable new innovations in home entertainment, construction, aviation and defence. In particular, research has led to the deployment of new "active" methods for controlling noise and vibration within aircraft. Systems have been installed in over 200 propeller aircraft since January 2008, giving a total number of 1000 aircraft treated to date and benefitting 177 million passengers worldwide. Noise reduction systems based on patents resulting from the unique ISVR methods are being developed for maritime use by BAE Systems. The underpinning science has significantly cut the cost of noise tests on Rolls-Royce jet engines, saving US$4 million to date and reducing their environmental impact. It has led to the development of mass-produced systems for living-room 3D sound, global sales of which have reached US$7.2 million.

Submitting Institution

University of Southampton

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Technology: Communications Technologies
Medical and Health Sciences: Neurosciences

1. Mathematics and Healthcare: Saving Lives and Reducing Costs

Summary of the impact

Research conducted at the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University has engineered lifesaving, improvements to UK healthcare systems. New mathematical models, accounting for the complexity and diversity of the health system, have been created and applied in a variety of contexts to markedly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of a wide range of healthcare services — at policy, commissioning and operational levels. The extensive benefits include:

  • Reducing the mortality of trauma patients across South London by 54% (equating to 0.7 additional survivors out of every 100 patients for the period 2010-2012, rising to 4.2 in 2013)
  • Reducing the mortality of stroke patients across South London by 60% through the creation of a new Stroke Unit, based on the research findings (the services were rated as the best in the country by the National Sentinel Audit 2010 organised by the Royal College of Physicians).
  • Realising net efficiency gains of £1.6m per year in the emergency department at University Hospital of Wales;
  • Provision of hospital capacity planning tools in use across the UK

This work has been disseminated nationally and internationally, in the media and at a range of events designed to engage the public with Mathematics. Therefore the impacts claimed in this case study are health, economic benefits and public engagement.

Submitting Institution

Cardiff University

Unit of Assessment

Mathematical Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Applied Mathematics, Statistics
Economics: Applied Economics

Transformational Cost-Risk Reductions and Significantly Increased Safety Through Interdisciplinary Model Based Systems Engineering in Extremely Complex Operational Environments

Summary of the impact

Loughborough University's (LU) interdisciplinary model based systems engineering (MBSE) research (2001-2010) has directly enabled life-saving operations by i) Developing synthetic vision systems to improve the safety of emergency services helicopter operations involving low level flight during day, night, all weather and conditions of zero visibility, and ii) Saving lives through a reduction in morbidity and mortality of babies born with congenital heart defects.

The impact translates directly into significant cost savings and safety risk reductions in expensive flight trials costing millions of pounds by BAE Systems [5.1], and in supporting clinical practice/surgical interventions by University Hospital of Rennes [5.2] with a reduction in the morbidity and mortality of babies born with congenital heart defects in Brittany, France.

Submitting Institution

Loughborough University

Unit of Assessment

Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Applied Mathematics
Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computer Software

Innovative acoustic material enables economic growth while reducing waste and noise pollution

Summary of the impact

University of Bradford research has enabled a material manufacturing company, Armacell, to reuse up to 95% of its production waste to produce new, high-value acoustic products with up to 50% better acoustic performance than any competition products of similar size. We protected the developed IP through several international patents and set up a spin-off company, Acoutechs Ltd, to explore this technology commercially. These materials are now used to reduce noise levels below the recommended limits and to improve the general acoustic quality of spaces at home and work for the benefit of public health. The products generate an annual turnover of more than €4 million for Armacell and prevent more than 500 tonnes of plastic waste from going into landfill annually.

Submitting Institution

University of Bradford

Unit of Assessment

Civil and Construction Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Physical Sciences: Other Physical Sciences
Engineering: Biomedical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

High Performance Simulation techniques to reduce industrial production and logistics costs through better management

Summary of the impact

The research has enabled industrial simulation users to investigate and develop larger scale systems faster and cheaper and thus to explore a wider variety of cost-saving options with more precision, and industrial simulation providers to offer new high-performance simulation (HPS) products and services. As a direct result of this work: Ford has made £150,000 cost savings in consultancy and significant process improvements to engine manufacture globally; Saker Solutions (UK SME) has created the first ever HPS system for production and logistics; Sellafield PLC has used this system to make significant process improvements and savings in the management of nuclear waste reprocessing of around £200,000 per year; and Whole Systems Partnership (a UK SME) used a spin-off from this research to generate a £200,000 per year revenue stream from interoperable healthcare decision support systems. Globally, several other companies are adopting the standardisation efforts and other outcomes of the research as the foundation for future innovation.

Submitting Institution

Brunel University

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computer Software, Information Systems

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