Micro-sensors for Adaptive Acoustic Transduction

The research project involves the development and implementation of an adaptable micro-
electromechanical (MEM) acoustic transducer inspired by the behaviour of the human ear.
The detection of the acoustic signal and its conversion into the electrical domain can be
performed with resonant gate transistors (RGTs). The active cochlear mechanism of the
human ear could be replicated by integrating an array of RGTs with a feedback control
system to operate as a selective real-time adaptive multichannel microphone. The potential
outcome of this project will have tremendous impact on the fundamental understanding of
sound interpretation as well as improvements in hearing aid technology.

The aim of the project is to design, fabricate and test a novel single sensor device based
upon the use of two-dimensional material as a resonating gate above a resonant gate
transducer. The proposed strategy will allow some of the difficulties inherent in current
micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone design, such as the requirement for a
perforated backplate, to be overcome. The proposed novel sensor would, in the first
instance, be wideband in nature, and so capable of fitting in well with current signal
processing strategies.

This is a four-year PhD that will be undertaken within the Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Sensing and Measurement. See http://www.cdt-ism.org for programme details and information on how to apply.