Postgraduate Diploma in Absorbent and Insulation Materials
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 hours in Absorbent and Insulation Materials. 8 modules covering ISO 354 (sound absorption in reverberation room), ISO 10534-2 (impedance tube) and COMSOL Multiphysics. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the mechanisms of heat and sound transmission.
Characterise sound-absorbent materials.
Design acoustic and anti-vibration insulation solutions.
Select thermal insulation materials according to their conductivity.
Perform and interpret standardised acoustic tests.
Perform and interpret standardised thermal tests.
Simulate combined absorption and insulation solutions.
Who it's for
- Acoustic engineer wishing to specialise in Absorbent and Insulation Materials.
- Laboratory test technician wishing to specialise in Absorbent and Insulation Materials.
- Developer of insulation materials wishing to specialise in Absorbent and Insulation Materials.
- Energy efficiency consultant wishing to specialise in Absorbent and Insulation Materials.
- Materials quality control technician wishing to specialise in Absorbent and Insulation Materials.
- Product engineer in construction wishing to specialise in Absorbent and Insulation Materials.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter building materials.
What you'll work with
- ISO 354 (sound absorption in reverberation room)
- ISO 10534-2 (impedance tube)
- ISO 10140 (laboratory sound insulation)
- ISO 717-1 (insulation indices)
- ISO 8302 (thermal conductivity, guarded hot plate)
- EN 13162 (mineral wool products)
- CTE DB-HR (protection against noise)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Conduction, convection and radiation in building envelopes1.2Thermal conductivity and resistance1.3Sound propagation in air and solids1.4Acoustic absorption, reflection and transmission1.5Airborne and structure-borne noise1.6Mass law and coincidence frequency1.7Thermal and acoustic bridges1.8Condensation and vapour barriers1.9Requirements in building, transport and industry1.10Case study: thermal and acoustic balance of a sandwich panel
2.1Porous materials: open-cell fibres and foams2.2Flow resistivity and porosity2.3Delany-Bazley and Johnson-Champoux-Allard models2.4Helmholtz resonators and perforated panels2.5Membrane absorbers for low frequencies2.6Micro-perforated panels and acoustic metamaterials2.7Influence of thickness and air cavity2.8Recycled and natural-origin materials2.9Behaviour under humidity and ageing2.10Laboratory: absorption calculation using the JCA model
3.1Single, double and multi-layer walls3.2Sound reduction indices Rw and DnT,w3.3Viscoelastic materials and damping3.4Constrained layers for vibration reduction3.5Floating floors and decoupling3.6Elastomers and anti-vibration mounts3.7Insulation in vehicle and aircraft cabins3.8Acoustic leaks and sealing3.9Prediction using statistical energy analysis methods3.10Practice: design of a double wall with damping
4.1Mineral wools: rock and glass4.2Foams: polyurethane, polystyrene and phenolic4.3Aerogels and vacuum insulation panels (VIP)4.4High-temperature insulation: ceramics and silicates4.5Cryogenic insulation4.6Phase change materials4.7Fire behaviour: Euroclasses EN 13501-14.8Durability, compression and dimensional stability4.9Environmental footprint and EPD declarations4.10Workshop: selecting insulation for steam pipes
5.1Impedance tube according to ISO 10534-25.2Reverberation room according to ISO 3545.3Insulation tests ISO 101405.4In-situ tests ISO 162835.5Flow resistivity measurement ISO 90535.6Viscoelastic characterisation by DMA5.7Sound intensity measurements5.8Test uncertainty5.9Interpreting technical datasheets5.10Laboratory: absorption measurement in an impedance tube
6.1Guarded hot plate ISO 83026.2Heat flow meter ISO 83016.3Hot wire and transient methods6.4Infrared thermography of building envelopes6.5In-situ thermal transmittance ISO 98696.6Reaction-to-fire tests6.7Accelerated ageing tests6.8Water absorption and vapour permeability6.9CE marking and product standards EN 13162 to 131716.10Practice: thermal transmittance calculation using heat flux data
7.1Acoustic finite element modelling7.2Simulation of multi-layer panels with transfer matrices7.3Thermal simulation with finite elements7.4Optimisation of thickness and weight7.5Acoustic design of rooms and cabins7.6Integration in light vehicles7.7Life-cycle cost of insulation7.8Multi-criteria material selection7.9Design software: COMSOL and AlphaCell7.10Case study: optimisation of a cabin acoustic treatment
8.1Definition of thermal and acoustic requirements8.2Analysis of the initial situation8.3Preselection of materials8.4Modelling of acoustic behaviour8.5Modelling of thermal behaviour8.6Validation test plan8.7Assessment of cost, weight and sustainability8.8Final solution specification8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is COMSOL Multiphysics, ODEON, INSUL, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for reverberation room, impedance tube and guarded hot plate. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the mechanisms of heat and sound transmission.
Characterise sound-absorbent materials.
Design acoustic and anti-vibration insulation solutions.
Select thermal insulation materials according to their conductivity.
Perform and interpret standardised acoustic tests.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 total hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with COMSOL Multiphysics, ODEON, INSUL, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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