SBIR Phase I: Diaphonic Valve on a Chip, Harvesting Energy From Audio to Couple Communications Into the Ear

这个小企业创新研究的第一阶段项目，芯片上的音阶阀，从音频中收集能量，将通信耦合到耳朵中，研究含有音阶阀的芯片状衬底的生产。这些组件从音频通信中收集能量，用于向用户耳中的耦合装置充气。这种充气耦合器是为通信系统（多媒体播放器、蓝牙耳机、助听器和通信耳机）开发的，但使其工作的关键是音高阀。目前音阶阀的实施例是与电驱动声源一起工作的小但宏观的装置。本项目将提高对音阶阀的机理的认识，使其机制小型化，并将音阶阀组织在芯片上，以实现高效的制造和利用。Diaphonic Valve将通信设备与耳相连接，解决了耳内设备长期存在的问题。这种耳耦合技术比目前市场上的任何耳耦合技术都更舒适，能产生超高保真度的音频，减少听者疲劳，保护听力免受损害，而且比助听器中使用的定制耳模等类似质量的其他耳耦合更便宜。这个项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是革命性的新型人-音频耦合，用于消费者音频、蓝牙耳机、助听器和专业通信耳机（如飞行员、执法和军事应用）。这项技术能够减少使用入耳式设备的人群的听者疲劳和听力损害，同时使助听器对已经有听力损失的人来说更加舒适。将这项技术引入这些不同市场的策略是与成熟的公司合作，从而利用成熟的销售渠道和客户知名度。该技术的独特系统组件（充气耳耦合气泡和Diaphonic Valves）将由获得该技术许可的公司生产和供应。五年内，仅在助听器领域，这项技术的市场规模就可能达到500万至2000万美元。消费音频代表着一个更大的市场。第一个这样的商业安排正在与一家知名的消费者和专业音频耳机制造商敲定。该项目的成功将创造工程和商业部门的就业机会以及制造业的就业机会。短期内，第一阶段项目包括资助一名高中生或大学本科生参与研究。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project, Diaphonic Valve on a Chip, Harvesting Energy from Audio to Couple Communications into the Ear, studies production of chip-like substrates containing Diaphonic Valves. These components harvest energy from audio communications for the purpose of inflating a coupling device in a user's ear. The inflatable coupling is being developed for communications systems (Multimedia Players, Bluetooth headsets, hearing aids, and communications headsets), but the key to making it all work is the Diaphonic Valve. Present embodiments of diaphonic valves are small but macroscopic devices that work in conjunction with an electrically-actuated acoustic sound source. This project will improve understanding of the mechanics of the Diaphonic Valve, miniaturize its mechanism, and organizing Diaphonic Valves on chips for efficient manufacturing and utilization. The inflatable coupling of a communications device to the ear, which is enabled by the Diaphonic Valve, addresses longstanding problems with in-ear devices. This ear-coupling technology is more comfortable than any currently on the market, produces extremely high fidelity audio, reduces listener fatigue and protects from hearing damage, and is less expensive than alternative ear couplings of similar quality like custom ear molds used in hearing aids. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is revolutionary new person-to-audio couplings in consumer audio, Bluetooth headsets, hearing aids, and headsets for professional communications (such as pilots, law enforcement, and military applications). This technology has the ability to reduce listener fatigue and hearing damage in the population using in-ear devices, as well as making hearing aids more comfortable for people who already have hearing loss. The strategy to bring this technology to these various markets is to partner with established companies, thereby capitalizing on established sales channels and customer name recognition. The unique system components of the technology (the inflatable ear coupling bubbles and the Diaphonic Valves) will be manufactured and supplied to companies that have licensed the technology. The market for this technology in the hearing aid sector alone could be $5M to $20M in five years. Consumer audio represents a significantly larger market. The first such business arrangement is being finalized with a well known maker of consumer and professional audio headphones. The success of this project will create engineering and business sector jobs as well as manufacturing jobs. Near term, the Phase I project includes funding for a high school student or college undergraduate to participate in the research.