Spontaneously Tunable Acoustic Smart Arrays Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Topic No.: N08-142 Topic Title: Spontaneously Tunable Acoustic Smart Arrays Proposal No.: N082-142-0226 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Applied Technologies Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg.100 Torrance, California 90501 Contact: Keehoon Kim Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy need for an innovative tunable acoustic liner for aircraft engine noise reduction, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop new Spontaneously Tunable Acoustic Smart Arrays (STASA). They are based on a set of smart regulating structures , modifying noise attenuation characteristics according to aircraft flight regimes, takeoff, cruise (low, mid, high speeds), and landing. The innovation in STASA will enable the acoustic liner not only to reduce engine noise by >20 dB in a broadband range down to 1000 Hz, but also to reinforce structure integrity. We will apply POC's adaptive control algorithms to provide tunable noise attenuation. STASA will be designed to use a low-oxidation material, robustly packaged for a lifetime >25 years and to avoid adverse infrared, fatigue, flutter, or engine performance effects. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of STASA through design, simulation, development, and testing of a prototype acoustic liner. We will verify the simulation results and near-field performance. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a fieldable Phase II STASA prototype and demonstrate it in a simulated environment where a representative engine noise environment can be produced, resulting in both experimental evaluation and verification via proven computational methodologies. Benefits: The successful development of the STASA project will benefit the nation, in both military and commercial sectors, by providing superior hearing protection measures at noise source levels. This will reduce, in particular, the dangerous noise fields generated by military aircraft engines, to provide maximum protection for commercial or military end users. It will also save a significant portion of the $30 billion dollars lost in productivity and medical treatments for hearing disabilities caused by harmful noise environments. In fact, implementing the STASA system just in the Joint Strike Fighter engine nacelles will increase productivity and save billions of dollars in medical treatments as well as comply with stringent federal regulations. Return