PrestonWilson
- pswilson@mail.utexas.edu
- 512-475-9093
- ETC 4.152B
Ocean acoustics; Acoustical oceanography; Physical acoustics and engineering acoustics, with concentrations on sound propagation and scattering in the ocean and in multiphase media
About
Preston Wilson is a Professor in the Acoustics and Dynamic Systems Control programs of the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, holds a joint appointment as Research Professor at Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas at Austin and is the Paul D. and Betty Robertson Meek Centennial Professor in Engineering.
He joined the Cockrell School of Engineering faculty in 2003 after serving as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Boston University, where he studied sound propagation and scattering in bubbly liquids and the acoustics of water-saturated marine sediments. Previous experience also includes 3 years as a research engineer at Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas, 1994-1997, where he studied the acoustics of marine mammal sonar, developed a seismoacoustic mine detection sonar, seismoacoustic vehicle detection sensors and the Combustive Sound Source (a safe and inexpensive alternative to explosive sound sources for use in ocean surveys and seismic prospecting).
Wilson’s current research interests are ocean acoustics, acoustical oceanography, physical acoustics and engineering acoustics, with concentrations on sound propagation and scattering in the ocean and in multiphase media (bubbly liquids, ocean-bottom sediment). Wilson serves as co-chief scientist for a long-running ONR-sponsored Seabed Characterization Experiment. Wilson also works in the area of underwater anthropogenic noise abatement using large encapsulated bubbles. Wilson’s group has been developing acoustic tools for monitoring the health of seagrass meadows since 2009, which culminated in a 2024 award from ARPA-e for monitoring carbon sequestration in seagrass sediments. Past projects are studying the use of acoustics and sonar technology in the firefighting environment, vibration control focusing on the use of nonlinear systems such as buckled beams and other negative-stiffness-bearing structures, various topics in animal bioacoustics, novel acoustic materials and transduction. A paper on coffee roasting acoustics became the most-viewed paper in JASA for several months after its publication, which led to a US Patent and two licensing agreements in the coffee industry.
In addition to the scientific literature, work conducted in the Wilson group has been reported in Scientific American, National Geographic, The Alcalde, The Austin Business Journal, and via radio reports on KUT and NPR. Wilson co-founded AdBm Technologies LLC in 2012 to commercialize underwater noise abatement technology and currently serves as a science advisor to the company, which provides underwater noise abatement solutions for the international oil and gas industry and the international marine wind and offshore construction industries. Wilson currently holds five US patents.
Educational Qualifications
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 2001
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1994
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1990
Select Awards & Honors
- Rossing Prize in Education – Acoustical Society of America (2019)
- Acoustical Society of America Executive Council (2016–2019)
- Chair of the Education in Acoustics Committee – Acoustical Society of America (2009–2015)
- A.B. Wood Medal and Prize – UK Institute of Acoustics (2007)
- Office of Naval Research Entry-Level Faculty Award in Ocean Acoustics (2004)