UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 March 2025

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Concept of audible enclaves in news

Why in News:

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed a method using ultrasonic transducers and acoustic metasurfaces to create localized sound zones, or “audible enclaves,” where only the intended listener can hear the audio, while it remains inaudible to others nearby.

Introduction

Audible enclaves are localized pockets of sound that remain unaffected by external noise. These technological innovations enable sound delivery to a specific individual even in a crowded environment.
Researchers have developed these enclaves using parametric array loudspeakers and high-frequency sound waves, creating a new frontier in personalized auditory experiences.

Understanding Sound Propagation

Sound travels in waves through a medium, causing particles to vibrate back and forth. The frequency of these waves—how fast particles move—determines the pitch of the sound.

Lower frequencies travel farther and are less directional.
Higher frequencies spread out more due to diffraction but can be manipulated to form focused sound beams.

How Audible Enclaves Work

Traditional parametric array loudspeakers focus sound by emitting high-frequency waves modulated with an audio signal. As they travel, they self-demodulate, producing a narrow, directional sound beam that only people in its path can hear.

A recent study, published on March 17 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, introduces an advanced approach to creating audible enclaves. This method uses two high-frequency waves of different frequencies.
These waves are inaudible individually, but where they intersect, non-linear interactions generate a sound wave, making it audible only at that specific point. This enables sound to be localized to a precise location without disturbing the surrounding area.

Potential Applications

The ability to target sound precisely has various applications:

Personalized communication in crowded spaces like airports or train stations.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences with immersive audio.
Medical applications, such as assisting the hearing-impaired with directional sound cues.
Advertising and entertainment, where specific individuals can receive customized audio messages.

Conclusion

Audible enclaves represent a significant advancement in sound technology, allowing for personalized, non-intrusive audio experiences.
As research progresses, this innovation has the potential to revolutionize communication, entertainment, and assistive technologies, offering greater control over sound environments in various domains.