In the quest for better sound technology, researchers have taken a remarkable leap by turning to an unexpected source: spider silk.
Led by Ron Miles, a Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering with a lifelong fascination for sound, this research could revolutionize how microphones are made and used.
Understanding how microphones work is key to appreciating this innovation. Essentially, microphones convert sound waves into electrical signals.
Traditional microphones are designed to mimic human ears, which detect sound through pressure changes on our eardrums.
However, Ron Miles and his team looked to nature for alternative ways to capture sound, leading them to the unique hearing methods of spiders.
Spiders sense their surroundings differently from humans. They use the tiny hairs on their bodies and the webs they spin to detect motion in the air.
This discovery was made almost by accident when Miles’ then-doctoral student, Jian Zhou, observed a spiderweb moving in the breeze during a walk in a nature preserve.
Intrigued by the web’s response to air movements, Zhou brought a spider back to the lab for further study.
The research showed that spider silk could respond to sound with astonishing accuracy across a broad frequency range, from as low as 1 hertz to as high as 50 kilohertz.
This range and the silk’s flat frequency response surpassed that of any existing microphone.
Miles and Zhou theorized that a microphone using spider silk’s structural properties could capture sound with high fidelity at both high and low frequencies.
This would provide a more complete and accurate representation of sound.
To validate their theory, the researchers conducted experiments in Binghamton University’s anechoic chamber, a specially designed soundproof room.
Their results were promising, leading to the development and patenting of a new kind of microphone inspired by spider silk’s properties.
Their choice of spider silk was also strategic. Unlike other materials, spider silk is supported at both ends, making it ideal for their experiments.
Nature, Miles notes, is filled with systems that sense sound through motion, offering a rich source of inspiration for researchers.
The impact of this research extends beyond the academic realm. Canadian venture firm TandemLaunch and its spin-off company Soundskrit recognized the potential of this technology. They commercialized it, releasing both analog and digital versions of the microphone based on Miles’ concept.
Sahil Gupta, co-founder of Soundskrit, notes that this approach is distinct from conventional methods that rely heavily on software to isolate voices from background noise. By enhancing the hardware itself, the overall sound quality of devices can be significantly improved.
The journey of this research doesn’t end with the patent. As Soundskrit works on mass production and distribution, Miles and Zhou continue to explore new applications of their findings.
Zhou is advancing auditory nanotechnology, while Miles has embarked on a project with the National Institutes of Health to study acoustic flow in ears. This research aims to improve treatments for hearing loss and other auditory issues.
The potential applications of this technology are vast. It could lead to significant improvements in consumer electronics, healthcare, and research.
Imagine a future where a cell phone microphone matches the quality of a recording studio microphone, all thanks to a design inspired by the humble spiderweb. This innovative approach to sound technology exemplifies how nature can inspire groundbreaking advancements in our everyday lives.
Source: Binghamton University.
