"Biological Sciences (DBS) and Natural Resource and the Environment (NREN) students at University of New Hampshire conducted an experiment using an educational set of PDV-100 portable laser Doppler vibrometers (LDVs) examining how Nicrophorine burying beetles produce substrate-borne cues and signals during courtship and reproduction. LDVs also allowed students to examine how substrate-borne vibrational noises produced by wood-feeding beetle larvae can be detected within logs. Thank you for providing the PDV-100s through the University Program; it was a great learning experience for both the undergraduate students enrolled in the courses, as well as for the graduate students that assisted with the laboratories." Dr. Daniel R. Howard, Assistant Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at UNH

"Mechanical engineering students from two courses at NDSU were brought together to perform structural dynamic analysis of a beam using the Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) from Polytec's University Program (UP). They were able to calculate Young's modulus and second moment of inertia of the cross section. Students were also able to calibrate the piezoelectric accelerometers and compare their calibration results to those recommended by the respective manufacturers. In both cases, students were amazed on how their experimental results agreed with expected theoretical results, which is highly credited to the accuracy offered by this LDV unit. We really thank Polytec for allowing us to use the UP units in our labs as it has tremendously enhanced our course delivery." Dr. Annie Tangpong, Associate Professor of Mechanical Vibrations and Dr. Majura Selekwa, Associate Professor of Engineering Measurements, Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Dakota State University

"Polytec's Laser Doppler Vibrometer PDV-100 was used by CSUN's Mechanical Engineering graduate students to perform experimental modal analyses on different laminated composite structures manufactured at CSUN's composites laboratory. Students were able to quickly run the tests and use the VibSoft software to obtain important structural parameters from the measurements. Students used the experimental data to update their computational models. All participating students reported that the LDV is very easy to use and the software is straight-forward. Students really enjoyed this hands-on project. Thank you so much Polytec! It was a nice learning experience." Dr. Peter L. Bishay, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Northridge

"Kettering University physics and engineering students used the Polytec PDV-100 portable laser Doppler vibrometer kits as part of a unit on vibration and modal testing in our senior-level Acoustical Testing and Modeling course. Students were able to learn about the basic physics behind laser Doppler vibrometry, measure the vibrational modes of a cantilever beam, and compare measurements made using vibrometers with those made by accelerometers. We were also able to take measurements on vibrating objects that are hard to measure with accelerometers including a speaker cone and a guitar string. The availability of the portable laser vibrometers added a dimension to the course that we did not have previously and gives the students exposure to another technology useful in vibration studies." Dr. Ronald E. Kumon, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Kettering University

Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) used a Polytec Portable Digital Vibrometer (PDV-100) to study the acoustics of musical instruments. The vibrometer allowed researchers to capture the vibrational characteristics of individual acoustic and electric guitars. The vibration measurements serve as the basis for computational models which are used to study the acoustics of the instruments as well as to produce sound synthesis for music making. The study was led by Chris Chafe, Director of CCRMA at Stanford University.