Peter Westervelt
Encyclopedia
Peter Westervelt is an American
physicist and Professor Emeritus of Physics at Brown University
. Westervelt is known for his work in nonlinear acoustics
. He is a nephew of George Conrad Westervelt
.
He is especially renowned for his application of the theory of Sir Michael James Lighthill
, for his important contributions to the understanding of nonlinear scattering of sound by sound, and for his discoveries of the parametric array
and the laser-excited thermoacoustic array. His lifetime of physics research spans other aspects of acoustics as well, include the contributions to the understanding of acoustic radiation pressure, which has applications to Acoustic levitation
and other devices which exploit macrosonic phenomena and acoustic streaming, as well as to several other fields of Physics (with example references shown here), including General Relativity
, (primarily in the area of gravitational wave
s), including Gravitational phenomena analogous to the parametric array, Cosmology, low temperature physics the Physics of Sound in Liquid Helium, and High Energy Particle Physics (primarily in the area of cosmic ray
particle detector
s. Westervelt began his career in 1940-41 at the MIT Radiation Laboratory and the Harvard Underwater Sound Laboratory, where he worked with such luminaries as Frederick Vinton Hunt
, Leo Beranek
(National Medal of Science
winner) and Phillip Morse during WW-II. He received his BS in Physics from MIT in 1947, and his PhD in Physics from MIT in 1951, at which time he joined the Physics Department at Brown University.
During his long and distinguished career, he held responsible assignments with the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Research Council, and was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society
, the Acoustical Society of America
, and the American Astronomical Society
. He served as Assistant Attache for Research, U.S. Navy, at the American Embassy in London, U.K., and as a Consultant to Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (now BBN Technologies
). Westervelt also performed research at the University of Texas at Austin, where he developed new techniques, having widespread application, for the study of sound-by-sound scattering and the laser-excited thermoacoustics
. Westervelt was awarded the Lord Rayleigh Medal
in 1985, by the British Institute for Acoustics. He became Professor Emeritus at the Brown University Physics Department in 1989, yet still remains active in physics research. Professor Emeritus Peter Westervelt recently received the Silver Medal in Physical Acoustics
from the Acoustical Society of America for his discovery and explanation of the Parametric Array
(November 2008).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist and Professor Emeritus of Physics at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. Westervelt is known for his work in nonlinear acoustics
Nonlinear acoustics
Non-linear acoustics is a branch of physics dealing with sound waves being distorted as they travel.-Introduction:A sound wave propagates through a material as a localized pressure change...
. He is a nephew of George Conrad Westervelt
George Conrad Westervelt
George Conrad Westervelt was an U.S. Navy engineer who created the company "Pacific Aero Products Co." together with William Boeing. Westervelt later left the company and Boeing changed the name of the company to the Boeing Airplane Company...
.
He is especially renowned for his application of the theory of Sir Michael James Lighthill
James Lighthill
Sir Michael James Lighthill, FRS was a British applied mathematician, known for his pioneering work in the field of aeroacoustics.-Biography:...
, for his important contributions to the understanding of nonlinear scattering of sound by sound, and for his discoveries of the parametric array
Parametric array
The parametric array is a nonlinear transduction mechanism that generates narrow, nearly sidelobe free beams of low frequency sound, through the mixing and interaction of high frequency sound waves, effectively overcoming the diffraction limit associated with linear acoustics...
and the laser-excited thermoacoustic array. His lifetime of physics research spans other aspects of acoustics as well, include the contributions to the understanding of acoustic radiation pressure, which has applications to Acoustic levitation
Acoustic levitation
Acoustic levitation is a method for suspending matter in a medium by using acoustic radiation pressure from intense sound waves in the medium. Acoustic levitation is possible because of the non-linear effects of intense sound waves....
and other devices which exploit macrosonic phenomena and acoustic streaming, as well as to several other fields of Physics (with example references shown here), including General Relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
, (primarily in the area of gravitational wave
Gravitational wave
In physics, gravitational waves are theoretical ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagates as a wave, traveling outward from the source. Predicted to exist by Albert Einstein in 1916 on the basis of his theory of general relativity, gravitational waves theoretically transport energy as...
s), including Gravitational phenomena analogous to the parametric array, Cosmology, low temperature physics the Physics of Sound in Liquid Helium, and High Energy Particle Physics (primarily in the area of cosmic ray
Cosmic ray
Cosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating from outer space. They may produce secondary particles that penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The term ray is historical as cosmic rays were thought to be electromagnetic radiation...
particle detector
Particle detector
In experimental and applied particle physics, nuclear physics, and nuclear engineering, a particle detector, also known as a radiation detector, is a device used to detect, track, and/or identify high-energy particles, such as those produced by nuclear decay, cosmic radiation, or reactions in a...
s. Westervelt began his career in 1940-41 at the MIT Radiation Laboratory and the Harvard Underwater Sound Laboratory, where he worked with such luminaries as Frederick Vinton Hunt
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Frederick Vinton Hunt was an inventor, a scientist and a professor at Harvard University who worked in the field of acoustic engineering.He made significant contributions to room acoustics, regulated...
, Leo Beranek
Leo Beranek
Leo Leroy Beranek is an American acoustics expert, former MIT professor and a founder and former president of Bolt, Beranek and Newman ....
(National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
winner) and Phillip Morse during WW-II. He received his BS in Physics from MIT in 1947, and his PhD in Physics from MIT in 1951, at which time he joined the Physics Department at Brown University.
During his long and distinguished career, he held responsible assignments with the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Research Council, and was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
, the Acoustical Society of America
Acoustical Society of America
The Acoustical Society of America is an international scientific society dedicated to increasing and diffusing the knowledge of acoustics and its practical applications.-History:...
, and the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
. He served as Assistant Attache for Research, U.S. Navy, at the American Embassy in London, U.K., and as a Consultant to Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (now BBN Technologies
BBN Technologies
BBN Technologies is a high-technology company which provides research and development services. BBN is based next to Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA...
). Westervelt also performed research at the University of Texas at Austin, where he developed new techniques, having widespread application, for the study of sound-by-sound scattering and the laser-excited thermoacoustics
Thermoacoustics
Thermoacoustics is about the interaction between thermodynamic and acoustic phenomena. Thermoacoustics is a relatively new field of science and engineering. Few devices based on this principle have been made thus far...
. Westervelt was awarded the Lord Rayleigh Medal
Rayleigh Medal
The Rayleigh Medal is a prize awarded annually by the Institute of Acoustics for "outstanding contributions to acoustics". The prize is named after John Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh.-List of recipients:...
in 1985, by the British Institute for Acoustics. He became Professor Emeritus at the Brown University Physics Department in 1989, yet still remains active in physics research. Professor Emeritus Peter Westervelt recently received the Silver Medal in Physical Acoustics
ASA Silver Medal
The ASA Silver Medal is an award presented by the Acoustical Society of America to individuals, without age limitation, for contributions to the advancement of science, engineering, or human welfare through the application of acoustic principles or through research accomplishments in acoustics...
from the Acoustical Society of America for his discovery and explanation of the Parametric Array
Parametric array
The parametric array is a nonlinear transduction mechanism that generates narrow, nearly sidelobe free beams of low frequency sound, through the mixing and interaction of high frequency sound waves, effectively overcoming the diffraction limit associated with linear acoustics...
(November 2008).