The Aerodynamics Acoustics & Noise control Technology Centre (AANTC) is located at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which has a strong international reputation and consistently ranks high among major engineering institutes around the world. In the 2013-14 Times Higher Education World University Rankings in Engineering and Technology, HKUST was ranked No. 1 in Greater China and 21st globally. AANTC, led by Professor Xin Zhang, brings together academic staff, research fellows and PhD students using state-of-the-art computer simulations and advanced anechoic wind tunnel testing to develop new computational methods, noise prediction methods, noise reduction concepts, and provide engineering solutions for the industry. The centre possesses high-order in-house computational aeroacoustic codes and various acoustic and aerodynamic test facilities.

Unmanned air mobility (UAM) or drones can be widely applied to various scenarios such as photography, entertainment, security, logistics and delivery, civil engineering inspection, infrastructure maintenance. The high efficiency, high flexibility and low-cost properties make it promising transportation means for the modern smart cities. The development of the drone for the passengers and cargo in a city is a potential solution to reduce the traffic jam. However, the widening application of drones in populated cities can cause noise pollution. In AANTC, the drone noise properties are investigated using combined methodologies of numerical simulation, experimental analysis and theoretical analysis. The drone noise impact on the environment is evaluated, and the strategies to reduce the noise impact to are being explored for the purpose of low-noise, low-emission and high-efficiency drone applications. The target requires multi-disciplinary studies such as aerodynamics and aeroacoustics, operation research and intelligent transportations.