Case study 1

Partnership organisation: BBC
Project title: Periphony for broadcast

The BBC has maintained an interest in the development of technologies that enhance user experience whilst maintaining compatible broadcast formats for multi-platform delivery. An initial BBC Research & Development study revealed strong variations in subjective opinion depending on the nature of the programme material when auditioned over systems with periphonic capabilities. However, in this study, a variety of loudspeaker configurations were used, and this too caused divergence of opinion and presented a confounding effect. A more detailed study of user preference is required to understand the performance of Ambisonics. It is anticipated that some of the deficiencies might be attributed to the systems using only 1st order Ambisonics, and a study of higher order systems will potentially reveal this.

Working with Professor Yu Lam, of the School of Computering, Science & Engineering, this project aims to investigate the incorporation of periphonic ambisonic audio (3-D audio, with height) into broadcasting to multi-platform audiences. This is seen as the next step, following the route from mono, to stereo, then 5-channel surround sound.

One of the key areas of the project is to ensure that those in the audience who do not have top-of-the-range listening facilities are not disadvantaged. Listening to periphonic programmes should ideally be possible on mobile devices, as well as through hi-fi in the home and the project proposes to deploy a number of studies that will provide guidance for the integration of this technology in the future of broadcast.

Case study 2

Partnership organisation: United Utilities
Project title: Grey Water and Energy Recycling

The Energy Hub at the University of Salford is a leading Centre for the study of retrofit energy saving and contains the nationally acclaimed Salford Energy House, a Victorian terrace built in a laboratory that allows quantitative measurement of retrofit solutions. The project will initially involve the installation in ‘the house’ of a grey water recycling system that incorporates a new and highly innovative technology that also retains and in part reuses the energy used to heat the water.

The project is jointly sponsored by United Utilities PLC and supported by Arvia Technology Ltd, an award winning technology start up company actively developing and commercializing a portfolio of patents describing this innovative and groundbreaking water treatment process.

Working with Professor Roger Ford of the School of computing, science & engineering, the project aims to develop a unit that can recover water and heat that would otherwise be wasted and put both to beneficial use in a domestic house; design and build the unit, review the performance and sustainability and report its success.

If you would like further information regarding iCase Studentship Awards please contact Janet Morana on 0161 295 2902 or alternatively email j.morana@salford.ac.uk