Deymier Explains Applications of Topological Acoustics

Topological acoustics can help researchers better understand changes in climate, such as the thawing of permafrost in Alaska or the Arctic regions, among other applications, said MSE professor Pierre Deymier in a recent interview.

Using topological acoustics is a sophisticated way of looking at sound that maps sound waves to an abstract multidimensional space, to examine their geometry. By examining sound in this way, scientists can see and manipulate attributes of sound waves that aren't visible in traditional acoustics. Deymier heads the New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center, which was established in 2023 with $30 million from the National Science Foundation.

In the case of permafrost, said Deymier, center researchers will use seismic waves, which are soundwaves of a very low frequency, to study changes in the ground caused by thawing.

"So we can use this sensing technology as a way of warning people that there are changes taking place and that may impact infrastructure," Deymier said.