Researchers Patent a Bio-Inspired Microphone Technology

As reported by EurekAlert!, using biomimicry, researchers at Binghamton University, Ron Miles and Jian Zhou, have sought patent protection related to a bio-inspired flow microphone technology. 

Miles and Zhou found that spider silk acted like a perfect microphone, responding to the motion of the air in the sound field with perfect fidelity at a broader range of frequencies and a flatter frequency response, unlike conventional microphones.  

This technology has reportedly been commercialized by TandemLaunch and its spin-off company, Soundskrit, releasing both an analog and digital version of this concept.

While looking into audio capture in consumer devices, Sahil Gupta, co-founder of Soundskrit, reportedly told EurekAltert! that their approach was different from most others, which typically involves using multiple microphones with software to isolate a user’s voice from background noise. “By improving the underlying hardware, everything else on top of that would only be improved. Paired with some really incredible results and a truly unique story, we saw how differentiated this approach was”, he reportedly said.  

Miles and Zhou are continuing their research, hoping to lead to further technological advancements in various industries.