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Mobile phones could soon be charged by simply speaking into the handset.

For mobile phone users, a flat battery or a lost charger is among the frustrations of modern life.  New research promises a way to recharge phones using nothing but the power of the human voice.

Electrical engineers have developed a new technique for turning sound waves into electricity, allowing a mobile to be powered up while its user holds a conversation. The technology would also be able to harness background noise and even music to charge a phone whilst it is not in use.

In this day of ‘renewable energy’ scientists are continually exploring a number of approaches for scavenging energy from the environment. Noise that exists in our everyday life has been regularly overlooked as a source. Sound energy from speech, music or noise could be turned into electrical power.

‘Sound power’ could be used for a variety of applications. A television or radio could generate enough electricity to power itself by the sound that was being transmitted from it. An MP3 player could be powered by the owners’ heartbeat. Sound absorbing walls near motorways could generate electricity from the noise of passing vehicles. This would also have the additional benefit of reducing noise levels near residential areas by absorbing the noise created by traffic.

The possibilities are endless…. Sound Power = Sound Energy = an end to electricity bills!

The government introduced new legislation (Building Regulations Part ‘E’), which came into effect on July 1st 2003 for refurbishment and July 1st 2004 for new build.

These Regulations require that new dwellings and schools are constructed to achieve certain acoustic standards. This Building Regulation now applies to any kind of residential building, including houses, flats; and other dwellings such as students and nurses accommodation, nursing homes, hostels  and hotels. . It also applies to properties that have been renovated or converted as a result of an alteration or change of use.

The aim of the regulation is to protect residents from the noise of activities in other rooms or adjoining properties and to combat the problems of noise pollution, which has been highlighted as a major cause of tension between residents.

I am regularly asked whether it is necessary to soundproof a chimney breast on a party wall. Whilst there is no conclusive answer on this question, I am of the opinion that soundproofing the alcoves is generally sufficient. This is because chimney breasts are usually constructed of a double brick layer, as they have to be fire and smoke retardant, whereas the alcoves are generally constructed of a single brick layer.

My advice would be to initially have your alcoves soundproofed, as this normally solves the problem and keeps costs down…