Defence Online

Dstl’s acoustic yarn monitors military hearing health

Land March 19, 2018

Scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are collaborating with Nottingham Trent University on knitted sensors to guard against hearing loss for troops.

Dstl is supporting the Materials Research Exchange exhibition and conference (MRE) and the acoustic yarn will be amongst other projects from industry and academia being presented at the event.

Funded by Dstl through the Defence and Security Accelerator Open Call for Innovation, it has been developed in response to the specific risks to hearing that could be suffered by the military.

Official Event Partner: Dstl

This work created a textile noise sensor, or dosemeter, suitable for military use. Overexposure to noise is known to cause permanent hearing damage; as a result, employers are required to implement suitable health monitoring measures when workers will be exposed to loud noises.

A noise dosemeter is the most reliable way to determine a worker’s noise exposure, but commercially available solutions are not suitable for military use. An innovative helmet cover made of ‘acoustic yarn’ means that the sensor does not interfere with kit or with the operational effectiveness of the troops.

Tiny microphones were soldered onto fine multi-strand copper wire and encapsulated within resin which, with additional packing fibres, was then to be put through a knitting machine to form the acoustic sensor yarn. Finally, the acoustic sensor yarn was incorporated into a knitted helmet cover created using computerised flat-bed 3D knitting technology.

Dr Theodore Hughes-Riley, Research Fellow, Advanced Textiles Research Group Nottingham Trent University, said: “Sound measurements were required from both sides of a helmet cover, as asymmetric hearing damage is known to be more common when firearms are frequently used, compared to general noise exposure, such as in construction.”

Dstl are an Official Event Partner at DPRTE 2018 – don’t miss out on this fantastic chance to attend, sponsor or exhibit at DPRTE 2018, book now at www.dprte.co.uk/book-now

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Defence and Security Accelerator Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Dstl knitted sensors Nottingham Trent University Open Call for Innovation

Post written by: Matt Brown