Developing Active Artificial Hair Cell Sensors Inspired by the Cochlear Amplifier

PI：Tarazaga，巴勃罗 提案编号：1604360拟议的研究将开发一种新的方法，用于放大声音，并有可能应用于听力受损者。 该设备将感测入射声音并以新的方式放大它，从而检测到更低的阈值，更清晰的频率灵敏度和上级动态范围。 拟议的研究计划的目标是开发基于压电的，有源人工毛细胞（AHC）能够模仿非线性耳蜗放大器的重要方面。与传统的无源传感器相比，它们将具有更低的检测阈值、更灵敏的频率灵敏度和更大的动态范围。拟议的工作将检查各种反馈控制方案，以实现从基于压电的，悬臂梁传感器的耳蜗样的响应。这项工作将探索使用自感知方法从实验室实验过渡到实际传感器。可扩展性分析，预计将指导设计和制造的小型化的有源AHCs在规模适合于在实际应用中使用。将建立和测试用于转换多频率信号的有源传感元件阵列。这些传感器也可以作为听觉研究人员深入了解健康耳蜗的工具。虽然耳蜗放大器的重要性和一般行为是公认的，但关于这种放大是如何产生的还有一些未回答的问题。可以在人造毛细胞上测试各种控制律，以测试不同的理论，并深入了解生物耳蜗的功能。 预计这项工作将有助于建立改进的人工耳蜗，从而改善超过3000万患有永久性听力损失的美国人的生活质量。人工耳蜗毛细胞的活性可能导致新的人工耳蜗假体和恢复听力功能。这项研究计划将为代表性不足的本科生提供良好的学习和教育。

PI: Tarazaga, Pablo Proposal No: 1604360 The proposed research will develop a new approach for amplification of sound with potential applications to hearing impaired. The device will sense incident sound and amplify it in a new way such that lower threshold is detected, sharper frequency sensitivity and superior dynamic range are also expected. The goal of proposed research program is to develop piezoelectric-based, active artificial hair cells (AHCs) capable of mimicking the important aspects of nonlinear cochlear amplifier. They will possess a lower threshold of detection, sharper frequency sensitivity, and larger dynamic range than a traditional, passive transducer. The proposed work will examine a variety of feedback control schemes to achieve a cochlea-like response from piezoelectric-based, cantilever beam sensors. The work will explore using self-sensing methods to transition from lab experiments to practical sensors. Scalability analysis is expected to guide the design and fabrication of miniaturized active AHCs at scales suitable for use in practical applications. An array of active sensing elements for transducing multiple frequency signals will be built and tested. These sensors could also serve as a tool for auditory researchers to gain insight into a healthy cochlea. While the importance and general behavior of the cochlear amplifier is well established, there are unanswered questions over how this amplification arises. Various control laws can be tested on artificial hair cells to test different theories and develop insights into the functioning of biological cochlea. It is anticipated that this work will help establish improved cochlear implants, thereby improving the quality of life of over 30 million Americans who suffer from permanent hearing loss. Potentially the active artificial hair cells could lead to new cochlear prosthesis and restore hearing function. This research program will offer an excellent learning and education for underrepresented undergraduate students.