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BYU Project to Silence Computer Fans

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the anti-noise-is-nifty dept.

phunster writes "The New York Times has an article about Scott D. Sommerfeldt and his students at BYU who have created a noise suppression system for computer fans (drop of human blood required to read article). The technology is not new, he uses out of phase sound to substantially cancel out the sound of the fan. What is interesting is his implementation of the technique. While other systems place a microphone and speakers in the center of a room, he places four miniature speakers and microphones around the noise source itself. His results are promising."

19 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. Now THIS is just great... by ControlFreal · · Score: 5, Funny

    BYU Project to Silence Computer Fans

    We as /. computer fans have been discriminated for so long, that you'd think that we, as computer enthousiasts, have had quite enough....

    • First we are bullied as small kids...
    • Then we are bullied as high-school kids...
    • Then we couldn't (or can't) get a girlfriend...
    • Then we are shunned at parties (provided we are invited at all)...
    • Then we are looked at funny for griping about DRM issues...

    An NOW, these people that have been bullying us all along have invented a system that makes us keep our mouths shut... Just great...

    Pills... must... take... pills...

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    1. Re:Now THIS is just great... by nocomment · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think I need some pills also, I thought the article said that a drop of human blood was what silenced the fans. Maybe I jsut need sleep, but I'd prefer pills ;-).

      --
      /* oops I accidentally made a comment, sorry */
      /* http://allyourbasearebelongto.us */
  2. Forget silencing the fans... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Can't we just silence BYU and the whole state of Utah? Please, someone? Can you take Orrin Hatch with you when you do this?

  3. Speak it, brother by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why wasn't this posted in the Censorship section?

    Corporations try to silence some kid's website, Michael is falling over himself to denounce it. Corporations try to silence fans, and where is YRO? Not reporting on this, that's for certain. A clear double standard. Disgusting.

  4. nice by Zungert · · Score: 4, Funny

    This would be well worth it on 90mm tornados. Its pretty shitty having 4 of them right beside your bed trying to sleep while your linux e-penis uptime grows every night ;)

  5. Next project... by Fizzlewhiff · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now if they could just silence the kids that come to my house to tell me about Joseph Smith.

    --

    'Same speed C but faster'
    1. Re:Next project... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Step 1: Say "No thanks".
      Step 2: Oh wait, step 2 isn't needed.

      Retard.

    2. Re:Next project... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      just put up an electric fence. You can even setup a wireless webcam and have people pay to see those kids get shocked.

    3. Re:Next project... by carlos_benj · · Score: 2, Funny

      But if you stop at step one you'll never get to...

      4. Profit!

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      --

      As a matter of fact, I am a lawyer. But I play an actor on TV.

  6. We need a context-free human language! by CharAznable · · Score: 3, Funny

    For a second, I thought that BYU was going to hire big, burly henchmen to "take care" of us Slashdotters...

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    The perfect sig is a lot like silence, only louder
  7. Will the same technology... by millahtime · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will the same technology also work on my girlfriend? She is like one of those movies that is just better on mute.

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    Evolution or ID?
  8. Blood? by paranoid.android · · Score: 2, Funny

    drop of human blood required to read article

    Does it have to be mine?

    "Hey Bob, come here, I've got something cool to show you. Oh, and bring a thumbtack..."

  9. Re:Four microphones and speakers per fan?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    About as much as that vibrator you've got rammed up your ass.

  10. Me, by meshko · · Score: 2, Funny

    I use my good ol' AK-47 to silence them damn computer-lovin' freaks.

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    I passed the Turing test.
  11. They don't need big burly henchmen. by Behrooz · · Score: 2, Funny

    To take care of nosy nerds, they send ditzy chaste-yet-teasing BYU coeds. Guaranteed to frustrate and/or bore you to death within hours, unless you're a RM (returned Mormon missionary) in which case you'll end up married to them within two days.

    Either way, problem solved.

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    "We have to go forth and crush every world view that doesn't believe in tolerance and free speech." - David Brin
  12. Re:Silent fans are a BAD thing by slothbait · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have trouble sleeping without the humm of my 6 cheap-noisy ass fans.

    I corrupted my dormmate as well. He said he had to turn on a fan to fall asleep over the winter break. \o/

    oh PC! Humm me to sleep at night and bask me in your warm CRT light by day!

  13. Doesn't Darl "unix" McBride.. by Flashpot · · Score: 2, Funny

    already have IP rights to that idea?

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    That which does not kill her only prolongs my agony.
  14. Re:It's not the noise made by the fans... by greenegg77 · · Score: 2, Funny

    You need to check out today's BBSpot article, then.

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    --- This .sig for sale - $500 OBO.
  15. Re:Silent fans are a BAD thing by Rick.C · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's why I've clipped a baseball card to my CPU fan with a clothespin.

    --
    You were 80% angel, 10% demon. The rest was hard to explain. - Over The Rhine
    "Math in a song is good."-Linford