Noise Pollution | Meixin Yu

NOISE POLLUTION

Individual Project | Sound (noise) Visualization | 2018

How to improve people's awareness of noise pollution

This is a project concerning noise visualization. I collected noise in dozens of places and analyzed it in Arduino. Afterward, I visualized the noise with the analyzed data and the geometry of irregular forms. I hope it can be used as a daily demonstration, and when people see it, they will realize the importance of noise to health.

INTRODUCTION

Background

With the increase of people's exposure to noise in modern life, noise pollution has become a hidden danger threatening citizens' health, only second to air pollution. Beijing has become the most polluted city. Although most pollution comes from traffic, buildings, and industries, noise in some entertainment venues (especially rock concerts, karaoke bars, discos, etc.) has reached a level that can cause noise damage. Sound output levels of some personal entertainment devices, such as MP3 players, Walkman and mobile phones, may also have impaired the hearing. When people are exposed to noise threats, they are often unaware of the severity of it.

0-10dB:

Only Hear

30dB~50dB:

Quiet

70dB~110dB:

Very Noisy

130dB+ :

Unbearable

10dB~30dB:

Extremely Quiet

50dB~70dB:

Relatively Quiet

110dB~130dB:

Pain

Feeling of Sound:

Impact of Noise Pollution:

Hearing Problems:

Hearing and vision loss. It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.

Sleeping Disorders:

Affect sleep, lead to heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases if exposed to noise pollution in the long-term.

Health Issues:

Affect human’s nervous system, make people irritable and affect the health of pregnant woman and fetus, cause miscarriage, premature birth

Result in damages to the growth of auditory organs of the fetus, which in turn damages parts of the brain and seriously affects intellectual development.

DATA COLLECTION

Research Protocol

Through second-hand research, it’s found that 40 decibels are the lowest level of voice in the urban environment, and it would be very noisy for some people if the noise is above 70 decibels. After a lot of field tests and records through noise detection APP, I selected 5 relatively common noise scenes.

BRAINSTORM

Through the theme of "noise", three related directions are extended out for brainstorming to extract useful materials.

DESIGN

Process

Sound

1. Data Collection

2. Hardware: Sound Sensor

Input

Arduino

1. Form shapes based on input date

2. Hardware: Vibration Sensor

Form

Object (visualization)

1. Material

2. Different shapes output

USB

Dupont Thread

Breadboard

Arduino Board

Sound Sensor

Vibration sensor (2 for one mold)

Dispergator

Electronic Scale

(precision 0.1g)

Abrasive Paper

(thick & fine papers)

Crystal Adhesive Dripping (AB glue)

Graduated Measuring Cups (at least 2)

Dropper

Color Essence

Silicone Mold

Pearl Powder

Stirring Rod

Toothpick

Step 1:

Mix crystal adhesive dripping in proportion to A3:B1

Step 2:

Stir the AB glue well on a slow speed

Step 7:

Polish details with a fine sandpaper

Step 1:

Mix crystal adhesive dripping in proportion to A3:B1

1/7

Noise visualization is identified as the final solution. Five different locations were selected and the rangeability of vibration generated by sound was recorded over a period of time. The higher the decibel, the vibration is more frequent. Depending on properties of crystal adhesive dripping, the larger and more frequent the vibrations, the more bubbles there are. Different colors are added to make the change seem more distinct.