Listening problems? Put your shirt on. A research report published by the British journal Nature on the 16th reported that a fabric containing special fibers can effectively detect sound. Inspired by the sophisticated auditory system of our ears, this fabric can be used to conduct two-way communication, assist directional listening, or monitor cardiac activity.
In principle, all fabrics will vibrate in response to audible sounds, but these vibrations are nano scale, because they are too small to be perceived. If we develop fabrics that can detect and process sound, it is expected to unlock a large number of practical applications from computing fabrics to security and then to biomedicine.
The MIT research team described a new fabric design this time. Inspired by the complex structure of the ear, this fabric can function as a sensitive microphone. The human ear allows the vibration generated by sound to be converted into electrical signals through the cochlea. This kind of design needs to weave a special electric fabric – piezoelectric fiber into the fabric yarn, which can convert the pressure wave of audible frequency into mechanical vibration. This fiber can convert these mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, similar to the function of the cochlea. Only a small amount of this special piezoelectric fiber can make the fabric sound sensitive: a fiber can make a fiber microphone of dozens of square meters.
The fiber microphone can detect sound signals as weak as human speech; When woven into the lining of the shirt, the fabric can detect the subtle heartbeat characteristics of the wearer; More interestingly, this fiber can also be machine washable and has drapability, making it an ideal choice for wearable applications.
The research team demonstrated three main applications of this fabric when woven into shirts. The clothes can detect the direction of the clapping sound; It can promote two-way communication between two people – both of them wear this fabric that can detect sound; When the fabric touches the skin, it can also monitor the heart. They believe that this new design can be applied to various scenarios, including security (such as detecting the source of gunfire), directional listening for hearing aid wearers, or real-time long-term monitoring of patients with heart and respiratory diseases.
Post time: Sep-21-2022