Projects / Programmes
Zmanjševanje hrupa in njegovega vpliva na ljudi (Slovene)
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2012
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| 2.03.04 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
Energy systems |
| 2.11.04 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
Machine parts, engines and devices |
| 3.08.00 |
Medical sciences |
Public health (occupational safety) |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.07 |
Engineering and Technology |
Environmental engineering
|
Researchers (17)
Organisations (3)
Significance for science
The programme team is internationally recognized and renowned, which many invitations to lecture at foreign universities as a guest professor or keynote speaker at international conferences confirm. By many scientific publications in international journals having IF the team has contributed new knowledge in the area of acoustics, noise and vibration, and occupational medicine, which the citation index in the bases SICRIS confirms. For the Research Group of Technical Acoustics (FME) this contribution is relevant first of all in the area of description of the noise generating mechanisms within pumps, compressors and fans when they operate in transient regimes, e.g. when rotating stalls and surge appear or cavitation in pumps. A new method based on the use of audible sound was developed to monitor the onset of cavitation and its development and to determination of the Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) required value, also in-situ operation, otherwise determined in laboratory conditions. In addition, the use of audible sound was implemented for monitoring the quality of the welding process by recording the sound caused by the welding process. The research group has also made an important contribution to science by using ultrasound for decaying vapour bubbles, which occur in the cavitation process and during iron hardening (steeling). In this way, harmful effects of cavitation, especially the erosion of the pump walls were prevented, and an increase in the speed of hardening and hardening depth at the steeling was achieved. By contribution to the feedforward active noise control system and especially by using dipole noise source for reducing the effect of acoustic feedback to primary signal effectiveness of the method was pretty improved in wider frequency range. In phase of development is a new method for measurement absorption coefficient in-situ, i.e. in room built-in materials. The method is based on use of dipole in a near field. Research and Development Group DOMEL have achieved significant results in suction units and electric motors research, and in increasing their competiveness in the developed world markets. They have succeeded in producing a suction unit with high efficiency and low level noise which made them the leading producer of the suction units in the world. In DOMEL their goal is to produce high-tech and high efficiency products. It is for this reason that they invest in basic and applied research: each year 9% of the company’s revenue is invested for these purposes. Such projects shorten the time required for the development of a product from an idea to the final production. In addition to their own research achievements, their contributions to science also include transferring basic research achievements into practice with export products. This increases their competitiveness. Their project of optimisation and development of a new “by-pass” suction unit they have made a significant contribution to new knowledge in the field of turbo-machinery and electric motors, as well as their optimisation and the development. This is done by using up-to-date computer tools (Ansys, Fluent), which reduces number of prototyping and cost. The Research Group Occupational Safety (ZVD) has achieved important results in the area of occupational medicine, and their research on the field of the effects of noise on hearing loss and extra aural effects are also well recognized in the world. One of these is the effect of noise on the concentration of stress hormone cortisol. Their contribution to science in the field of impulse noise evaluation, due to firecracker explosions and blasting in quarries, and their effects on the hearing injuries and the time of restitution, as well as evaluating the causes of structure borne noise are well-known. In the same laboratory a new method was established for identification of dominant incoherent sound sources within a bigger system of complex noise sources.
Significance for the country
By an exact identification of noise sources and their control we have contributed to noise reduction at workplaces and in the environment in general and consequently also to making workplaces more employee-friendly and to comfort people in living environment. The Research Group Technical Acoustics closely cooperates and exchanges research achievements between all three cooperating institutions and in this way contributes to increasing the level of common knowledge and experience, which it selflessly shares with business entities by advising and conducting seminars, conferences and lectures. The Group’s several publications in international journals with citation index also greatly contributes to the international recognisability of the Republic of Slovenia. Some members of the research team have worked with the state institutions as court experts, as accreditation authority at the USM and technical Committee of Acoustics within the SIST. The Team is also involved in society activities within SDA in Slovenia and within AAAA in the Alps-Adria region. Participation in technical committees of different international associations we have indirectly also contributed to global recognisability of the Republic of Slovenia. The Head of the Programme Team acted as Director of the IIAV for four years. By introducing the subject of acoustics into the curriculum at other faculties (Faculty for Architecture, Biotechnical Faculty and Medical Faculty) the Team is helping to boost technical culture in this area. Research and Development Group DOMEL has done a lot in the development of the new generation of suction units which have contributed to the recognisability of Slovenia by having a large market share. Their long-term research work and the development of new export products with great characteristics they have become the leading producer of consumer goods as with around 8 million suction units per year they cover about 35% of the global market and about 65% of the European market share. It is for this reason that Slovenia has been included amongst the biggest and the most prestigious producers of suction units in the world, whose large market share is secured by maintaining excellence even though they have to compete with cheap Asian products. However, competitiveness is always challenging, so the team tries to continuously increase their market share. They have been trying to break into a higher price range through intense research of noise control, increase of efficiency and quality control. The contribution of the DOMEL research team to the development of the field and engineering practice is considerable, as they serve as a good example with reaching the highest standards. Further optimisation and development of the “by-pass” suction unit of the Family, 467, which is used for combination suction is a development challenge. Large orders for this suction unit have contributed to a bigger share of high-tech products that DOMEL has to offer. This brings higher added value, preserves jobs, and contributes to employment of the professionals. The Research Group Occupational Safety (ZVD) is a referential institute in the area occupational medicine in Slovenia and especially in the area of safety from noise. Their research work and professional activities have made them into a leading institution in their area of health protection. Through practical and innovative approaches and solutions they have greatly contributed to the area of noise control at the source and wider, and so to humanisation of working places and living environment. The team has been involved in monitoring work-related illnesses caused by noise, especially by extra aural effects as well as measures for decreasing hearing injuries and their restitution. They have been involved in education and have worked with state institutions in advising and preparing rules and regulations, particularly at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Health.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
