Underwater acoustics is a key underpinning technology for offshore oil and gas activities. It is increasingly used in oceanographic and environmental studies, and also plays a crucial role in defence. The applications of underwater sound span positioning, communications, navigation, echo-sounding, geophysical surveying, water quality measurement, sonar, weapons systems and tomographic measurements of ocean currents and temperature.
NPL's capability enables the protection and sustainable exploitation of the marine environment through provision and dissemination of traceable acoustic standards. This enhances the competitiveness of the marine technology industry and underpins strategic offshore energy applications.The accurate measurement of anthroprogenic, or man-made pollution, noise is key to the assessment of its effect on marine life.
The metrology infrastructure ensures a robust legislative framework to protect the ocean environment without introducing unnecessary barriers to exploitation of the seas. It provides the standards that underpin the UK's defence and security capability, and support UK marine technology companies.
Our work establishes confidence in new techniques to measure sound underwater and unlocks new possibilities for industry offshore, as well as helping to track our impact on the environment.
We provide traceable standards to give confidence in measurement and device performance
We have the capability to characterise performance of transducers and materials as a function of depth and temperature
We develop methods for active sonar calibration to facilitate quantitative sonar imaging
We develop new methods for in-situ characterisation of sources and for monitoring ocean sound
Defra, together with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), is seeking candidate technologies for clearance of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) to participate in a funded acoustic testing programme in a controlled facility to determine their acoustic performance. This is a key aspect of Defra’s efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of UXO clearance in the marine environment.
Our world-class team works closely with industry and regulators to determine the best methods for measuring sound underwater. From developing new underwater sensors, to improving standards, we offer a broad range of services to help organisations increase their understanding of the impact of underwater noise.
We offer a number of good practice guides and training courses. Search our comprehensive list of resources.