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Dr. John Kennedy

Associate Professor (Mechanical, Manuf & Biomedical Eng)
PARSONS BUILDING
      
Profile Photo

Dr. John Kennedy

Associate Professor (Mechanical, Manuf & Biomedical Eng)
PARSONS BUILDING

 JOHN.KENNEDY@tcd.ie

 3531896 4252


Dr. John Kennedy is Associate Professor in Vibrations, Acoustics and Dynamics at Trinity College Dublin. His current research centres on the use of advanced additive manufacturing techniques to design and fabricate novel acoustic metamaterials for environmental noise control. This includes the development of AI-driven optimisation strategies using deep learning to tailor metamaterial structures for specific acoustic performance goals. Building his expertise in aeroacoustics and noise control, Dr. Kennedy"s work explores the integration of acoustic design, data-driven optimisation, and emerging manufacturing technologies to create tunable, high-performance solutions for vibration and noise mitigation. His research group, comprising three PhD students and two postdoctoral researchers, is embedded within the Fluids, Acoustics and Vibrations research group, where he serves as co-lead. Dr. Kennedy continues to apply and refine advanced experimental techniques including advanced signal analysis techniques for applied acoustics, and turbulence characterisation (via LDV, X-hotwire, and high-speed PIV) to investigate complex noise generation and propagation phenomena. He also maintains interdisciplinary collaborations examining the effects of environmental noise on human perception, health, and cognitive performance in transport systems. He has secured over €2.5 million in research funding, including more than €1 million directly supporting the design and additive manufacturing of acoustic metamaterials. He works closely with Irish SMEs on the commercialisation of these technologies, notably through the H2020 SME Instrument project TANDEM. His industry-aligned research includes leadership roles in EU-funded projects such as WENEMOR, ALLEGRA, and ARTIC (FP7 Clean Sky) and the H2020 AERIALIST project, where he oversaw technical coordination, design reviews, and wind tunnel test campaigns. Dr. Kennedy has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has served on scientific committees for the Aeroacoustics Specialists Committee of the Council of European Aerospace Societies and the International JVE Conferences. He is a Member of the Institute of Acoustic (MIOA) and an academic affiliate of the Association of Acoustic Consultants of Ireland (AACI). For 13 years he has acted as the Irish coordinator for the Institute of Acoustics" Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control.
  ACOUSTICS   Aerodynamics   Aeronautics   Air Transport Technology   Applied thermodynamics and energy   Computational Fluid Dynamics   Environmental aspects of transportation   Fluid Dynamics   Fluid Mechanics   Fluids and vibration   Manufacturing engineering   Mechanical Engineering   Noise pollution, technology   Signal processing   Sound Engineering   Transport psychology and safety   Turbomachinery   Turbulence   Vibration and Accoustic Engineering   Wind Tunnels
Project Title
 Noise 2050 - Forecasting Ireland"s Future Soundscape
From
01/09/25
To
31/08/29
Summary
Noise 2050 is a pioneering research initiative aimed at predicting and assessing the future noise environment in Ireland by 2050. This project addresses the critical issue of noise pollution, which is a significant but often overlooked environmental and public health challenge. With increasing urbanisation, evolving transportation technologies, and ambitious climate goals, understanding and managing noise pollution has become more important than ever. The project will: 1.Forecast Ireland"s national soundscape out to 2050 (transport, renewables, new tech). 2.Engage citizens in the country"s first large-scale participatory noise-monitoring campaign. 3.Design & test next-generation mitigation solutions and provide policy guidance. Noise 2050 is about more than just reducing noise " it"s about creating healthier, more liveable cities for the future. Noise pollution is a growing public health concern, linked to heart disease, stress, sleep disturbances, and impaired childhood development. It"s also a significant barrier to achieving our climate goals, as many renewable energy technologies and transport innovations come with their own noise challenges. By understanding and predicting future noise levels, Noise 2050 aims to protect our communities, improve public health, and ensure a sustainable, quieter environment for generations to come.
Funding Agency
EPA
Programme
Delivering a Healthy Environment 2024 Call Topic 1
Project Title
 Sea-Scan
From
01/01/25
To
31/12/25
Summary
Sea-Scan is a pioneering project that uses undersea telecommunications cables for advanced maritime surveillance, with the aim of enhancing Ireland"s ability to detect and classify "dark vessels" " those operating without active transponders " within our coastal waters. Utilising Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and State of Polarisation (SoP) technologies, the Sea-Scan project repurposes existing fibre optic infrastructure so it can also serve as a vast network of underwater sensors. In addition, the system is capable of detecting potential threats to the cables themselves, such as from boats anchoring nearby or trawling, or from other seabed disturbances that could arise from accidental or deliberate interference with critical communications infrastructure. Advanced AI algorithms are applied to the data collected, enabling the system to detect vessels and assess threats, reducing false alarms. The Sea-Scan project is one of five to have successfully progressed to the Seed Phase of the Research Ireland"Defence Innovation Challenge.
Funding Agency
Research Ireland
Programme
Research Ireland - Defence Organisation Innovation Challenge
Project Title
 ADAPT - Improving the Audio performance of speakers through LED screens
From
31/12/23
To
31/3/25
Summary
This project will conduct research on the modelling and experimental testing of next generation audio equipment for theatres. The work is a collaboration between IMAX and the ADAPT centre and hosted in the Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering.
Funding Agency
IMAX Theatres International Limited
Person Months
13
Project Title
 Noise Impact of Drones and Electric Aircraft in Advanced Air Mobility
From
01/01/25
To
30/03/26
Summary
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) represents a major shift in how people and goods will move through urban and regional environments in the coming decades. Powered by electric propulsion and automation, drones and electric aircraft are being developed at pace by major global players such as Amazon, Uber, Toyota, Airbus, and Embraer. These technologies promise faster, cleaner, and more flexible transport options"transforming short-distance mobility within and between cities. In addition to offering convenience, AAM has the potential to deliver substantial environmental and societal benefits. Electric propulsion can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional transport modes, particularly in last-mile logistics. By easing demand on ground-based traffic, AAM could also alleviate urban congestion, improve air quality, and reduce travel times. However, these benefits must be balanced against new challenges"especially those related to environmental noise. Noise is a key public concern in the deployment of AAM. Operating at low altitudes (100"600 meters), drones and electric aircraft can generate intrusive sound levels in populated areas, potentially disturbing residents and exacerbating the urban noise burden. According to a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) survey, 73% of respondents identified noise as a primary concern regarding drone operations. This project, funded by the HEAD-Genuit Foundation, seeks to address these challenges by investigating the acoustic impact of AAM technologies on urban soundscapes and community perception. Through a combination of technical noise analysis and social research, the project aims to inform the design and regulation of quieter, community-friendly aerial systems that support sustainable and socially accepted transport futures.
Funding Agency
HEAD-Genuit Foundation
Project Title
 Noise mapping for the minimal noise aircraft fleet
From
01/09/2021
To
31/08/2025
Summary
With the advent of the Environmental Noise Directive (END) population level modelling of exposure to aircraft noise has increased within Europe. Present noise exposure legislation focuses on airports whereas the greatest potential to implement noise reduction technologies lies with the airlines and aircraft manufacturers. This work focuses on the modelling the noise emission of the fleet of Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, Ryanair. The noise reduction achieved at a fleet level will be evaluated and the impact of changing fleet makeup assessed. Noise contours generated with SoundPLAN show the noise effects of the different aircraft types of the historic, current and future Ryanair fleet under realistic operating conditions. The generated noise contours provide an evidence base for decision making within the airline for investments aiming to reduce noise levels around airports.
Funding Agency
Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre

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Details Date From Date To
Member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA) - The Institute of Acoustics is the UK's professional body for those working in acoustics, noise and vibration. It was formed in 1974 and is a nominated body of the Engineering Council, offering registration at Chartered and Incorporated Engineer levels. The range of interests of members embraces aspects such as aerodynamics, architectural acoustics, building acoustics, electroacoustics, engineering dynamics, noise and vibration, hearing, speech, underwater acoustics, together with a variety of environmental aspects. May 2020
Oliveira, Marco, Kennedy, John, Indoor Drone Noise Impact on European Buildings: The Role of Façade Insulation and Stand-Off Distance for Urban Operations, Proceedings of Quiet Drones 2026, 2026, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Mulcahy, Matthew, Gillespie, Craig, Kennedy, John, Bennett, Gareth, Stator Noise Reduction Technologies for Quieter and More Efficient Drone Propulsion, Proceedings of Quiet Drones 2026, 2026, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Duffy, Alexandra, Rice, Henry, Oliveira, Marco, Kennedy, John, Context Matters: Public Response to Delivery Drone Noise in Quiet vs Noisy Areas, Proceedings of Quiet Drones 2026, 2026, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Gillespie, Craig, Mulcahy, Matthew, Bennett, Gareth, Kennedy, John, Mitigation of UAV Airframe Interaction Noise Using Porous Coatings, Proceedings of Quiet Drones 2026, 2026, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Zhao W., Wang J., Wasala S., Kennedy J., Persoons T., Compact Metamaterial Micro-Slit Panel Absorbers for Low-Frequency Tonal and Broadband Noise Control, Applied Acoustics, 241, 2026, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Karina Einicke, John Kennedy, Predicting airport noise impact to 2040: Traffic growth and technology uptake, Applied Acoustics, 227, 2025, p110229 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Einicke K., LeGriffon I., Kennedy J., Airport noise forecasting to 2050: Integrating the Blended Wing Body concept, Applied Acoustics, 239, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Ogun O., Rice H., Kennedy J., Bridging model and experiment in the design and validation of a sub-wavelength acoustic metamaterial, Journal of Applied Physics, 137, (19), 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Khalaf A., Kennedy J., The Dual Impact of Winglets and Serrations on UAV Aerodynamic and Acoustic Performance, Drones, 9, (4), 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Jujhaar SINGH, John KENNEDY, Advancing noise reduction strategies for domestic air-source heat pumps, INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings, 270, (6), 2024, p5601-5612 , Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
  

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John Kennedy, Turbulence and Noise, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bristol, February, 2018, Professor Mahdi Azarpeyvand, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Kennedy, J., Holt, N., Walker, I., The influence of sound on the safety of vulnerable road users, SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research, 2011, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED

  


Award Date
Teaching Innovation Award (Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, Trinity College Dublin) 2015