Fire Engineering: Do You Like The Sound of That?

The web was set ablaze when two George Mason University engineering students discovered that sound could be used to extinguish fires. The myriad ways to stifle one of nature’s most compelling forces has fascinated humans as much as causing them has, and new developments shine light on the complex and necessary field dedicated to creating these solutions. Viet Tran and Seth Robertson, the two students who found the successful way to “acoustic[ally] suppress flame”, are electrical and computer engineering students, and this background can be applied throughout the study of fire science.

In programs such as Anna Maria College’s online Bachelor’s in Fire Science, traditional studies in managing emergencies marry themselves with legal studies, business courses, and detective-esque fire investigating. For students desiring an involved career where exciting developments such as acoustic flame suppressants are always looking to be developed and utilized, careers in fire science offer opportunities to be a part of a competitive job market with high ceilings including Master’s in Public Health and top positions in fire departments. All this to say, if Tran and Robertson’s method ever fails, the back-up plans are deep and effective. But what wowed initially-skeptic professors most was how failure didn’t flare up against the students.

Deciding how to further the discontinued DARPA research on sound as a viable flame combatant, the duo looked not to the large-scale visions of the government agency, but to developing this technology into a fire extinguisher that could be used commercially. Initial ideas such as barraging flames with high frequencies or playing music out of a subwoofer next to the fire didn’t end as hotly as they expected. But in toying with the levels of frequency, the two struck success with the low 30-60 Hz range, where the oxygen actually removed itself from the flames by the vibrations pushing it away. Their completion of the project blew away the smoke of doubt, yet there’s still many major obstacles ahead. Patenting and selling this product will be an uphill battle for the two, as many leading fire engineers have yet to cosign this venture. For those entering into the profession now, however, this may be welcome news.

The field of fire engineering is a critical one that holds the safety of America’s communities in its hands. With effective and tested methods, experimental inventions like Tran and Robertson’s can enjoy the lengthy time necessary to ensure that commercial fire extinguishers that use sound are as safe and reliable as the brave men and women investigating and advising local governments on fires in their towns. When that day comes, though, it’s guaranteed that inventors and fire preventers will mute blazes together.

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