Bio-inspired Nonlinear Control of Artificial Hair Cells
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The human auditory mechanism can detect sound frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz, over a broad pressure range of 0120dB SPL due to its nonlinear amplification performed by the cochlea. Sound waves travel through the ear canal, eardrum and the three bones of the middle ear. The last bone of the middle ear (stapes) pushes on the oval window and creates propagating waves in the cochlea. Each of the sound frequency components excites a specific location along the basilar membrane when it travels through the cochlea. These are then coupled to the hair cells, which apply their nonlinear compressibility and amplification behavior to improve sound detection. These functions of the cochlea are the inspiration to design more sensitive and capable sensors.