January 23, 2013
| By Mary Grady, Contributing editor |
|
|
A nine-month test using infrasound to repel
birds has been successful, Technology International Inc., of Louisiana, has
reported. Low-frequency sounds, which are not heard by humans, were generated
using a rotary woofer, the company said. The sounds "jam the birds'
acoustic navigational system … [and] mimic the atmospheric disruptive features
of unstable weather conditions that birds instinctively avoid." The sounds
don't harm the birds, the company said. The company hopes to use the technology
at airports to create bird-free zones, and plans to test a prototype system at
an airport soon.
Bird strikes continue to be a major problem for
aircraft around the world, causing about a billion dollars in damage each year.
The frequencies used in the test are similar to infrasound emitted by
thunderstorms, Technology Intl. CEO Abdo Husseiny told New Scientist, which may explain why the birds are averse
to the sounds. The system can also be used to create zones that are attractive
to birds and establish wildlife sanctuaries in safe areas. Husseiny said the
technology could also be used in other settings besides airports, such as urban
squares, harbors and wind farms. The equipment should be available commercially
in about two years.
No comments:
Post a Comment