Thin film loudspeaker reproduces sound with minimal distortion, consuming only part of
To achieve these properties, researchers firstdeveloped a new manufacturing technology and used a thin film of piezoelectric material. It moves when voltage is applied to it. This is how sound is generated. The researchers used a laser to cut tiny holes in a thin sheet of lightweight plastic (polyethylene, PET). They laminated the underside of the perforated PET layer with a very thin film (only 8 microns) of piezoelectric material. They then applied a vacuum over the glued sheets and a heat source at 80°C below them.
Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Scientists are confident the technology can be scaled up to produce ultra-thin loudspeakers large enough to cover the inside of a car or cover a room with “sonic” wallpaper.
Thus, the thin film speaker canprovide active noise reduction in places such as an airplane cockpit. To do this, the device will create a sound of the same amplitude, but with the opposite phase. Eventually, the two sounds will cancel each other out.
Flexible device can also be usedfor immersive entertainment, such as providing 3D sound in a theater or theme park attraction. And because it is lightweight and requires so little power to operate, the device is well suited for smart device applications where battery life is limited.
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