Led by Dr Ling Jin and Dr Kai Zhou, a group of 14 CEE undergraduate students visited two laboratories in Wan Chai operated by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and one laboratory in Chai Wan under the GHM Greater Bay Area Institute of Urban Architecture (HK) on 27 June 2024, with the support of Environmental Conservation Fund. This tour, as part of CEE's ongoing efforts to provide students with practical learning experiences, included visits to the Aura Lab (Acoustic Laboratory), CAVE (Immersive System Laboratory), and QRLab (Quiet Renovation Laboratory).
Aura Lab Showcases Noise Reduction Technologies
At the Aura Lab, CEE students were introduced to EPD's products designed to reduce noise pollution, such as sound baffles made from porous materials, railway noise reduction solutions utilizing absorptive panels, and quiet pavement technologies that use specialized asphalt mixtures. The laboratory's acoustic test equipment, including anechoic chambers, reverberation chambers, and microphone arrays, demonstrated EPD's commitment to precise noise measurement and analysis.
CAVE Provides Immersive Experience in Virtual Sound Environments
The CAVE immersive virtual environment allowed students to experience various indoor and outdoor sound field scenarios. Participants observed the effectiveness of sound-dampening windows, which comprise two layers with absorbent materials applied, in isolating traffic noise while maintaining proper ventilation.
QRLab Introduces Quiet Renovation Tools
During the visit to the QRLab, students learned the impact of noise generated by standard restoration instruments, such as drills, impact wrenches, electric trenchers, and portable concrete mixers, which can produce noise levels exceeding 90 dB. The lab introduced their recently developed Quiet Renovation Tools, which is capable of reducing noise levels by approximately 20 dB during renovations.
CEE looks forward to collaborating with EPD again to inspire students and allow them to expose to real-world applications of environmental protection technologies. Through fostering practical learning opportunities to students, it is hoped that the young minds can gain deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field of civil and environmental engineering thus contribute to the development of innovative solutions for environmental protection in Hong Kong.
