Joseph Jackson is a multidisciplinary scientist with a focus on acoustic sensing and production. Originally a physicist, with an undergraduate degree in physics (Imperial College, London), he studied acoustic systems in nature as part of his PhD from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol. He is Senior Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde where he and his colleagues investigate acoustic systems in nature and engineering with a goal to improve sensor systems using among other concepts, bio-inspiration. He leads research on a variety of topics, and currently manages the EPSRC-funded grant RESINators, developing miniaturised acoustic resonator systems through 3D printing.
Miniaturisation of Acoustic Systems
There is a clear drive towards miniaturisation of acoustic sensors to match the accelerated progress of miniaturisation in electronics. This is true for personal audio systems, either in mobile phones, or in medical devices such as hearing aids or devices for cochlear implants. Unfortunately when we make acoustic systems smaller such that wavelength becomes large with respect to the size of the system, we struggle to create well performing sensors that retain sensitivity or functionality such as directionality. Nature has battled the problem of an organism being small with respect to the sound wavelength, and there are many solutions to this problem in the animal kingdom, especially within the insects. In this talk I will talk about some of the work our group has done in developing small-scale acoustic systems inspired by nature, from both a theoretical and practical engineering perspective.