Abstract: Provided is an energy harvesting system, including: a first electrode; a second electrode; a non-metalized mono-charged electret diaphragm disposed between the first and second electrodes; a base; a spring extending between the base and the electret diaphragm; and a rod in communication with the electret diaphragm and for manipulating a position of the electret diaphragm relative to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A digital electronic stethoscope includes an acoustic sensor assembly that includes a body sensor portion and an ambient sensor portion, the body sensor portion being configured to make acoustically coupled contact with a subject while the ambient sensor portion is configured to face away from the body sensor portion so as to capture environmental noise proximate the body sensor portion; a signal processor and data storage system configured to communicate with the acoustic sensor assembly so as to receive detection signals therefrom, the detection signals including an auscultation signal comprising body target sound and a noise signal; and an output device configured to communicate with the signal processor and data storage system to provide at least one of an output signal or information derived from the output signal.

Abstract: Provided is an energy harvesting system, including: a first electrode; a second electrode; a non-metalized mono-charged electret diaphragm disposed between the first and second electrodes; a base; a spring extending between the base and the electret diaphragm; and a rod in communication with the electret diaphragm and for manipulating a position of the electret diaphragm relative to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A digital electronic stethoscope includes an acoustic sensor assembly that includes a body sensor portion and an ambient sensor portion, the body sensor portion being configured to make acoustically coupled contact with a subject while the ambient sensor portion is configured to face away from the body sensor portion so as to capture environmental noise proximate the body sensor portion; a signal processor and data storage system configured to communicate with the acoustic sensor assembly so as to receive detection signals therefrom, the detection signals including an auscultation signal comprising body target sound and a noise signal; and an output device configured to communicate with the signal processor and data storage system to provide at least one of an output signal or information derived from the output signal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric, poly (?-benzyl-?,L-glutamate) (“PBLG”) planar microphone, and method for construction thereof, are disclosed. The microphone includes at least a polyester film, a piezoelectric, hot pressed poly (?-benzyl-?,L-glutamate) (“HPPBLG”) layer, and an aluminum coating for the HPPBLG layer. The coated HPPBLG layer is coupled to the polyester film.

Abstract: Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.

Abstract: A continuous piezoelectric film can include a plurality of fibers, each fiber including a polypeptide, wherein molecules of the polypeptide have electric dipole moments that are aligned such that the piezoelectric fiber provides a piezoelectric effect. The continuous piezoelectric film has at least one piezoelectric constant d31 or d33 that is at least 1 pC/N. The continuous piezoelectric film can be prepared hot pressing a mat of aligned piezoelectric fibers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric, poly (?-benzyl-?,L-glutamate) (“PBLG”) planar microphone, and method for construction thereof, are disclosed. The microphone includes at least a polyester film, a piezoelectric, hot pressed poly (?-benzyl-?,L-glutamate) (“HPPBLG”) layer, and an aluminum coating for the HPPBLG layer. The coated HPPBLG layer is coupled to the polyester film.

Abstract: An electronic stethoscope includes an acoustic sensor assembly having a plurality of microphones arranged in an acoustic coupler to provide a plurality of pick-up signals. The electronic stethoscope also includes a detection system to communicate with the acoustic sensor assembly and to combine the plurality of pick-up signals to provide a detection signal. The electronic stethoscope also includes an output system to communicate with the detection system. The acoustic coupler uses a compliant material that forms an acoustically tight seal with a body under observation.

Abstract: Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.

Abstract: Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.

Abstract: A continuous piezoelectric film can include a plurality of fibers, each fiber including a polypeptide, wherein molecules of the polypeptide have electric dipole moments that are aligned such that the piezoelectric fiber provides a piezoelectric effect. The continuous piezoelectric film has at least one piezoelectric constant d31 or d33 that is at least 1 pC/N. The continuous piezoelectric film can be prepared hot pressing a mat of aligned piezoelectric fibers.

Abstract: An audio display system includes a pointing device configured to address locations within an interaction field, a sound system adapted to communicate with the pointing device, and—an object mapping unit adapted to communicate with the sound system. The object mapping unit is configured to generate a map identifying locations within the interaction field that correspond to a representation of an object to be displayed such that the interaction field is segmented into an exterior region and an interior region of the representation of the object. The sound system is configured to provide an object-locating sound when the pointing device addresses a location in the exterior region so as to guide a user to further address the interaction field at least one of closer to or further away from the interior region of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is a desktop speakerphone having a base-station and a detachable microphone pod. The base-station includes standard telephone components, as well as a wireless receiver and a housing for a detachable microphone pod. The detachable pod contains at least one microphone and a wireless transmitter. When the pod is attached to the base-station, and the conference mode of operation is activated, the pod microphone's audio signal goes directly to base-station audio circuitry via a wired connection. When the pod is detached and the conference mode activated, the pod microphone's audio signal now goes via the pod's wireless transmitter to the base-station's wireless receiver. This detached, wireless mode allows the microphone to be positioned anywhere in the room, thereby improving the quality of transmitted speech by increasing the speech-signal-to-room-noise ratio, and lessening the potential for room echo by reducing the acoustic coupling between base-station loudspeaker and pod microphone.

Abstract: Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a differential microphone with a desired frequency response are disclosed. The desired frequency response is provided by operation of a filter, having an adjustable frequency response, coupled to the microphone. The frequency response of the filter is set by operation of a controller, also coupled to the microphone, based on signals received from the microphone. The desired frequency response may be determined based upon the distance between the microphone and a source of sound, and may comprise both a relative frequency response and absolute output level. The frequency response of the filter may comprise the substantial inverse of the frequency response of the microphone to provide a flat response. Furthermore, the filter may comprise a Butterworth filter.

Abstract: An electret transducer array and fabrication technique are disclosed. The array comprises a foil having a layer of insulating material and a layer of metal in contact therewith. The layer of metal comprises one or more discrete areas of metal which define the active areas of one or more transducers in the array. Electrical leads are coupled to the discrete areas of metal. By means of these leads, electrical signals produced by each transducer in response to incident acoustic signals may be accessed. The areas of metal may be formed by selectively removing metal from the foil, or by selective metal deposition. The layer of insulating material is electrostatically charged. The electret transducer array further comprises a porous backplate of sintered metal. The backplate further comprises a rough surface in contact with the layer of insulating material. The backplate serves as a common electrode for transducers of the array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a differential microphone with a desired frequency response are disclosed. The desired frequency response is provided by operation of a filter, having an adjustable frequency response, coupled to the microphone. The frequency response of the filter is set by operation of a controller, also coupled to the microphone, based on signals received from the microphone. The desired frequency response may be determined based upon the distance between the microphone and a source of sound, and may comprise both a relative frequency response and absolute output level. The frequency response of the filter may comprise the substantial inverse of the frequency response of the microphone to provide a flat response. Furthermore, the filter may comprise a Butterworth filter.

Abstract: The detector system includes three substantially similar detectors each of which includes an ionization chamber having a pedestal therein mounting a charged electret. Two chambers are completely sealed except for an equalization aperture. The third detector has filtered inlet openings, which permit entry of radon gas, and responds to gamma rays and radon gas. Each detector is a canister including a lid having a round base surrounded by a cylindrical wall. The canister body is a circular base surrounded by a cylindrical wall that nests within the lid with a telescopic fit. A cylindrical pedestal assembly rests on the lid base and concentrically sandwiches the canister body between the pedestal assembly and lid. A press-fit holds these three elements together. The charged electret is mounted on the platform by a retaining collar that holds the electret with a press-fit.

Abstract: Second-order gradient (SOG) toroidal and unidirectional microphones derived using a first-order gradient sensor (FOG) and a reflecting plane are described. The FOG is positioned with its axis illustratively orthogonal to and suspended a few centimeters from a large acoustically reflecting surface. The resulting sensor image is phase reversed resulting in a transducer that is a linear quadrupole. The linear quadrupole can be described by two dimensions, the distance corresponding to the FOG's dipole distance and twice the distance from the reflecting plane. If the reflecting surface is large enough or if the wall of an enclosure is used, the resulting microphone becomes a SOG unidirectional microphone. The perfect match between the sensor and its image from a good acoustic reflector results in an ideal SOG microphone with 3 dB beam width of .+-.33.degree. and no grating lobes below about 3 kHz for a spacing from the reflecting plane of about 2.5 cm.