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Environmental
and Applied Physics
The research in
the Department of Environmental and Applied Physic falls
under two broad headings, Atmospheric Physics and Acoustics.
Within these subheadings, a number of areas are under investigation.
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Radiative
Transfer Theory
The flow of solar radiation through the Earth's atmosphere
is strongly influenced by clouds and aerosols. We are
developing a number of computer codes to calculate radiative
transfer, in order to study the influence of aerosols
on this flow. We have also pioneered a perturbation technique
to streamline such calculations.
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Satellite
Observations of Aerosols
The only source of global data on aerosol variability
is space-based observation. A new generation of satellites
is now in orbit with the sensitivity to provide quality
data. We are accessing such data, and processing it using
a number of unique algorithms which offer new insights.
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Properties
of Aerosol Particles
The physical, chemical and optical properties are important
on both a global and a local scale. We are using a radiometer
to monitor the variation of aerosol optical properties
in Sydney, and along with this, we are developing methods
for predicting optical properties from their physical
and chemical properties.
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Ionospheric
and Upper Atmosphere Physics
Electric currents flowing in the ionosphere give rise
to magnetic variations which are recorded by magnetometers
on the ground. A relationship is being sought between
the magnetometer records and the tidal winds which drive
the ionospheric currents. A computer model of the process
gives some insight and various methods are used to study
the records. Several analyses of lunar tides in the upper
atmosphere are being used, along with the same computer
model, to seek an understanding of this tide in the upper
atmosphere.
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Flutes,
dijeridus and other wind instruments
The interaction of the player's vocal tract with the instrument
is fundamental in playing the dijeridu, but it is also
important in other instruments: it is one of the reasons
why good and bad players make different sounds. We are
studying these interactions using techniques developed
in the laboratory. We also use these techniques to study
the acoustical properties of the instruments. See Music
Acoustics
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Guitar
acoustics
Can one control guitar
acoustics during manufacture? Working with a local
manufacturer of fine instruments, we are looking at how
the acoustical properties depend on the mechanical properties
of the components.
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Vocal tract
acoustics
What goes on acoustically in singing and speech? In these
projects, acoustical measurements are made of the vocal
tract (using a synthesized acoustic current signal as
a probe) and the results are compared with the speech
signal (see http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/speech).
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Cochlear
implants
The major manufacturer of cochlear implants supports two
projects. One studies the perception
and appreciation of music by implant users and is developing
improved signal processing strategies. Another studies
the electrodiffusion effects involved with implantable
electrodes.
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