International Business Machines Corporation

Youri Popoff

Jean Fompeyrine

Stefan Abel

An artificial cochlea device for processing audio signals by electro-mechanical amplitude changes may be provided. The device comprises a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone comprising a membrane, an electro-mechanical feedback loop embedded in the MEMS microphone. Thereby, the electro-mechanical feedback loop comprises a piezo-electric actuator acting on the MEMS microphone by influencing the membrane's way to swing, such that an electro-mechanical amplitude change of an output signal is achieved.

Artificial cochlea

A tunable resistive element includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a resistive layer having a tunable resistive material. The resistive layer is arranged between the first terminal and the second terminal. The resistive element further includes a piezoelectric layer having a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric layer is adapted to apply stress to the resistive layer. An electrical resistance of the tunable resistive material is dependent upon a first electrical control signal applied to the first terminal and the second terminal as well as upon the stress applied by the piezoelectric layer to the resistive layer. The stress applied by the piezoelectric layer is dependent on a second electrical control signal applied to the piezoelectric layer.

Growing community of inventors

Zurich, Switzerland

Youri Popoff