On May 16th 2017, in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers announced that they have created a new paper thin material that is capable of generating energy from human motion. The material is also capable of acting as a loudspeaker or microphone. The new device is the brainchild and audio breakthrough of nanotechnology scientists working at Michigan State University.
The new material is called a FENG or ferroelectret nanogenerator. It is made of a silicone wafer with several layers of silver, polyimide, and polypropylene electret. Each layer has ions added that hold charged particles. Mechanical energy or human motion is converted into electrical energy when the material is compressed. The FENG material is bidirectional with the ability to turn electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Because the FENG material is so sensitive to vibrations, the researchers believe that their device could one day be used in voice recognition applications. By embedding their material into another object or material, the FENG material can be patched to an audio device, subsequently turning that object or material into a loudspeaker. The researchers say that their breakthrough may also one day make voice activated newspapers, noise cancelling sheets, and voice protected wearables possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment