Vibrational Strength of Piezoelectric Array in Flexible Substrates for Conductive Hearing Aids

Enosh Lim, Antonia X. DeBastiani, Miriam Redleaf, Mohammad J. Moghimi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Flexible hearing aids can benefit from piezoelectric actuators to generate vibrations on epidermis layer of skin behind the ear and noninvasively bypass conductive hearing loss. However, the major challenge is to generate a strong level of vibrations on the surface of skin that can reach cochlea with thin and low-power actuators. Lead zirconium titanate has a high piezoelectric constant and can generate vibrations with elevated levels of force and acceleration. In this paper, we assembled arrays of unimorph piezoelectric actuators composed of lead zirconium titanate to increase the vibration level and overcome damping in flexible substrate, skin, and bone. Finite element analysis was conducted to study the vibrations from a single actuator as well as an array of actuators. Also, the experimental data showed that an array of two actuators with adjusted phase increased the velocity of vibrations by 18 dB at 9 kHz compared to a single actuator on a flat aluminum foundation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMicrofluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XXII
EditorsBonnie L. Gray, Bastian E. Rapp, Colin Dalton
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510669338
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
EventMicrofluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XXII 2024 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Jan 28 2024Jan 29 2024

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume12837
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceMicrofluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XXII 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period1/28/241/29/24

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Vibrational Strength of Piezoelectric Array in Flexible Substrates for Conductive Hearing Aids'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this