Objective Novel techniques will be developed to model the mechanics of porous media and elucidate wave propagation characteristics in these complex two-component heterogeneous materials. This will establish a more rigorous theoretical framework and provide deeper physical insight than currently possible. The applications and natural occurrence of such media are widespread, with important applications in acoustics, bio-mechanics, geophysics and engineering. Within this proposal, two areas of application will be explored in collaboration with non-academic partners. Firstly, results will underpin methods to better control environmental noise. As can be seen from the EU’s Policy on Environmental Noise this is an issue of significant concern, the policy stating that “The largest impact of environmental noise is on annoyance and sleep disturbance, health effects of noise to which more than 30% of EU population may be exposed. The external costs of noise in the EU amounts to at least 0.35% of its GDP, but much higher values may be found as new findings become available. In general, it is considered amongst the most relevant environment & health problems, just behind the impact of air quality.” The methods developed will have significant application to acoustic optimisation and control. Besides acoustic optimisation, determination of wave characteristics and better modelling of porous media have profound implications in modelling bone. Bone is a heterogeneous material with a complex hierarchical structure, occurring in two main forms, a dense solid and a porous medium filled by a viscous marrow. The EU’s Executive Agency for Health and Consumers estimates that 22% of the EU population experience long-term muscle, bone and joint problems, from which significant economic and social issues result. The results we will obtain, and resulting methodologies established, will have far reaching implications for the detection and monitoring of a number of chronic bone and joint conditions. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesatomic physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollutionnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiophysicsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeophysics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF KEELE ROYAL CHARTER Net EU contribution € 195 454,80 Address Keele university finance dpt ST5 5BG Keele United Kingdom See on map Region West Midlands (England) Shropshire and Staffordshire Staffordshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00