Junior Research Group “Infrasound” established

Within the scope of the energy transition, large-scale nuclear and fossil-operated power stations, which used to be located at a large distance to existing residential areas, are increasingly being replaced by energy converters. These are smaller, are operated in a decentralized way and are located close to residential areas. Operating such facilities often causes noise emission in the infrasonic range.

Due to the fact that the acoustic properties of these infrasonic waves are fundamentally different, neither measurement and assessment methods nor legal regulations exist for infrasound meaning that the population is not protected from noise nuisance. Today, the fear of infrasound is therefore one of the main obstacles to operating and setting up energy converters, and this in turn also impedes the energy transition.

In order to intensify research in this field and to substantiate the discussions that are currently being held on this matter by means of scientifically acknowledged facts, the “Infrasound” Junior Research Group was set up with foundation funds from industry. In a joint appointment procedure of TU Braunschweig and PTB, Dr. Stefan Jacob was appointed as leader of this group. He took on this post on 1 September 2022. It is envisaged that the work of Braunschweig’s acoustics community will be headed by the Junior Research Group as it continues to work in the field of infrasound. This community encompasses PTB’s Sound Department and its Acoustics and Dynamics Department, the Institute for Acoustics at TU Braunschweig as well as further institutes of TU Braunschweig and of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Furthermore, it is planned to supervise doctoral theses in the field of infrasound and to teach certain acoustics classes at the technical university.

New leader of Junior Research Group "Infrasound": Dr. Stefan Jacob

Contact:

Dr. Stefan Jacob, 1.02, E-Mail: stefan.jacob(at)ptb.de