Speakers and transparent microphones allow your skin to play music

An international team of researchers has joined the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Research (UNIST) to demonstrate the new technology that will bring your skin into a speaker.

The new technology not only supports deaf and speech-impaired people, but also has many potential applications such as Internet sensors that connect things (IoT) that carry people and health care devices.

In the study, the scientists created ultrathin, transparent and conductive nanoparticles of nanoscale nanoparticles, including a series of orthogonal silver nanowires that were introduced into polymer substrates.

They then demonstrated this nano-film by turning it into a speaker that can attach to almost anything to produce sound. The researchers also introduced a similar device, acting as a microphone, that could connect to smartphones and computers to unlock voice-activated security systems.

Scientists have created ultra-thin, transparent and conductive hybrid nanorod films with nanoscale thicknesses.

Nanoscale is a thin layer of nano-thickness. Polymeric nanofilms have been given a lot of attention due to its outstanding advantages such as super-elastic properties, ultra-light weight and excellent adhesion ability, so it can stick directly to almost any surface. However, this type of membrane is easily scratched and does not conduct electricity.

The team etched those limitations by attaching a silver nanowire network into nanomembranes made from polymers. This has allowed the creation of speakers and microphones that can be attached to the skin but not easily detected.

"Our ultra-thin, transparent and conductive hybrid nanoscale films facilitate the sensory contact with curved and dynamic surfaces without causing any cracks or breaks," said Kang Saewon, co-author of the study. save say. 'These nano layers are capable of detecting sound and vocal vibrations generated by friction electric voltage signals corresponding to sound, with many potential applications such as input / output devices. sound out ".

Using hybrid nanoscale films , the team built speakers and microphones that were applied to the skin, but it didn't look obvious because of the transparency and excellent sense of exposure. Speakers and microphones carry new people as thin as paper, but are still unable to transmit sound signals.

According to Professor Hyunhyub Ko, the lead researcher, the biggest breakthrough of the study is the development of ultra-thin, transparent and conductive hybrid nanorods with a thickness of less than 100nm.

The leather-based nanorem loudspeaker works by emitting a sound of thermal sound due to the vibrations of the ambient air generated by the effect of temperature. The increase in heat occurs when electric current passes through the wire and produces heat causing these temperature fluctuations.

The microphone carries a human sensor, which is attached to the speaker's neck to even feel the vibrations of the vocal cords. This sensor works by converting the friction force generated by the oscillation of transparent conductive nanofibers into electricity.

For microphone operation, hybrid nanomembranes are inserted between flexible membranes and small models to accurately detect the sound and vibration of the vocal cords based on the friction voltage due to contact with the elastic membrane.

GS. Ko said: 'For commercial applications, the mechanical strength of nanomembranes and the performance of speakers and microphones need to be improved'.