Researchers at Binghamton University in New York have taken inspiration from spiders to develop what they believe could be the world’s most advanced microphone and sound system. The researchers were interested in how spiders use their webs for hearing and apply their findings to design better microphones that respond to airflow and not just sound waves.
Emile Berner, working with Thomas Edison, invented the microphone in 1877. The device, which had a carbon button design, became part of the first Bell telephones. At that time, it was also known as the loose contact transmitter since it consisted of two electric contacts separated by a thin layer of carbon.
When sound waves hit the carbon layer, they vibrate, join the two electric contacts, and transmit the sound. Over the years, the microphone underwent a major design change with the singular aim of improving sound quality.
Ronald Miles and the team at Binghamton University in New York believe the work is still incomplete, and there is plenty of scope to improve sound quality.
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