PCB Piezotronics Microphones Help Analyze Tornadoes

Researchers Seek To Sample Internal Tornado Environment

May 31, 2011, Depew, NY - PCB Piezotronics, Inc., a global leader in vibration, acoustic, pressure, force, and torque sensors, recently teamed up with the TWISTEX (Tactical Weather Instrumented Sampling in Tornadoes/Thunderstorms Experiment) project to analyze and characterize tornadoes by using PCB's ¼" free field microphone and preamplifier model 378C01.

The TWISTEX team is working to collect acoustic measurements from within the tornado core. The research is aimed toward increasing tornado warning lead time. Tim Samaras, principal investigator, explained, "The goal of this test is to collect the acoustic signature of strong and violent tornadoes in order to measure near-ground tornado intensity. By doing so, we can collect frequency distribution and location of the sound waves present in tornadoes."

Tim's background includes over 34 years of blast pressures measurements from energetic events ranging from just a few grams of explosives to over 620 tons of explosives in the deserts of White Sands Missile Range. Tim states, "The ability to accurately measure large amplitudes, combined with the robustness of PCB's 1/4" microphone and preamplifier systems allowed us to accomplish our objectives in this demanding, hostile environment."

For information on the research objectives, mission, list of publications, and mission status, please visit their website at twistex.org. The Discovery Channel plans to highlight the research results this coming fall.

For additional information on PCB's externally polarized and prepolarized condenser microphones visit www.pcb.com/microphones or contact Mark Valentino, toll-free at 888-684-0013 or via email at mvalentino@pcb.com.

About PCB® Piezotronics

PCB Piezotronics is a global leader in the design and manufacture of force, torque, load, strain, pressure, acoustic and vibrations sensors, as well as the pioneer of ICP® technology. This instrumentation is used for test, measurement, monitoring, and control requirements in automotive, aerospace, industrial, R&D, military, educational, commercial, OEM applications, and more. From ready-to-ship stock products to custom-made specials, PCB© proudly stands behind their products with services you value most, including toll-free customer service, 24-hour SensorLinesm, a global distribution network, and the industry's only commitment to Total Customer Satisfaction. For more information visit www.pcb.com.

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