Broadband Vibroacoustic Shape Optimization using Model Order Reduction VAMOR DC9

This doctoral project is part of a larger, multidisciplinary and international project VAMOR: “Vibro-Acoustic Model Order Reduction” (GA 101119903) funded under the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks within the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Commission.

VAMOR contributes to a more sustainable and quieter future for Europe. Noise pollution has arisen as one of the key factors towards the degradation of the quality of life in European societies. In that context, efficient physics-based sound modelling is a key enabler towards not only optimized and sustainable acoustic profiles through efficient design procedures, but also affordable so-called digital twins that monitor product performance in real time. To this end, the overarching goal of VAMOR is to provide high level scientific and transferable skills training on a new generation of efficient vibro-acoustic modelling techniques, so-called model order reduction (MOR) strategies, to a group of high achieving, competent doctoral candidates to promote a quieter and more sustainable environment. VAMOR brings together a remarkable consortium, which combines research leading academic institutions - KU Leuven, Technische Universitaet Munchen (TUM), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan (KTH), Universite du Mans, Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers (CNAM) - with a constantly innovating, wide variety of industrial partners working on software, material, testing, design and sound enhancement (Siemens Industry Software NV, Müller BBM, Trèves, Phononic Vibes, Saint-Gobain Ecophon, Tyréns, Purifi ApS).

As part of VAMOR this project offers you a multidisciplinary challenge that combines knowledge from optimization, electroacoustics, efficient numerical models and coupled mechanical and acoustical modeling. This PhD scholarship in Broadband vibroacoustic shape optimization using model order reduction methods is one of the VAMOR positions, offered by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), with the Danish loudspeaker company PURIFI as industrial partner. At DTU, you will work at the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering (DTU Electro), Technical University of Denmark (DTU). You will be part of the Acoustic Technology group at DTU Electro and the Centre for Acoustic-Mechanical Microsystems (CAMM). You will join a group of recognized researchers and have access to world-class facilities. Your fellow PhD candidates work in topics related to your own, creating a lively environment to thrive in. In KUL the research will be hosted by the Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics division (LMSD), which currently counts >100 researchers and is part of the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. More information on the research group can be found on the website:

https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/research/mod/about and our linkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lmsd-kuleuven/.

Project goals and qualifications:

This project aims at the application of MOR to the optimization of electroacoustic devices that involve the interaction of mechanical and acoustical domains, i.e. vibroacoustics. At DTU and KUL, you will have access to state-of-the-art knowledge on numerical methods, MOR and numerical optimization. You will collaborate with the company PURIFI, a research-based producer of high-end loudspeaker units with wide practical experience on transducer non-linearities, measurement methods, and optimization techniques. You will be expected to extend and streamline models, opening up new possibilities for vibroacoustic design. This will be achieved by the use of MOR techniques to accelerate broadband vibroacoustic gradient-based shape optimization. More specifically, you will:

• Incorporate model order reduction methods into a vibroacoustic finite element and boundary element framework, aimed at facilitating fast and efficient broadband frequency sweeps.
• Develop an adjoint gradient estimation method, based on the reduced vibroacoustic models,
• Utilize the method to perform shape optimization of broadband vibroacoustic applications, starting with single loudspeaker components and continuing with complete loudspeaker drivers,
• Propose new objective functions which will allow for sound quality criteria,
• Evaluate and compare the developed broadband shape optimization framework with the more traditional and cumbersome non-reduced vibroacoustic shape optimization approaches.

Your activities during the PhD project will include:

• Following courses on topics related with your project, either at DTU, KUL or other institutions,
• Contributing to teaching and supervision tasks at DTU,
• Attending international conferences and events where you will present your work,
• Publishing your research results in scientific, peer reviewed journals,
• Complete a double degree secondment at KUL for 8 months and an industrial secondment at PURIFI for 2 months.

Main Supervision at DTU: Assoc. Prof. Vicente Cutanda Henríquez and Assoc. Prof. Niels Aage will supervise the doctoral student.

Co-Supervision at KUL: Prof. Elke Deckers will co-supervise the doctoral student.

‏Source www.kuleuven.be