 |
|
New flat flexible speakers might even help you catch planes & trains
April 01, 2009A groundbreaking new loudspeaker, less than 0.25mm thick, has been developed by University of Warwick engineers, it's flat, flexible, could be hung on a wall like a picture, and its particular method of sound generation could make public announcements in places like passenger terminals clearer, crisper, and easier to hear.
Lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture, the speakers are slim and flexible: they could be concealed inside ceiling tiles or car interiors, or printed with a design and hung on the wall like a picture.
Pioneered by University of Warwick spin-out company, Warwick Audio Technologies' the 'Flat, Flexible Loudspeaker' (FFL) is ideal for public spaces where it delivers planar directional sound waves, which project further than sound from conventional speakers.
Steve Couchman, CEO of Warwick Audio Technologies, believes it could entirely replace the speakers currently used in homes and in cars, as well as in public address systems used in passenger terminals and shopping centres.
He says: "We believe this is a truly innovative technology. Its size and flexibility means it can be used in all sorts of areas where space is at a premium. Audio visual companies are investigating its use as point of sale posters for smart audio messaging and car manufacturers are particularly interested in it for its light weight and thinness, which means it can be incorporated into the headlining of cars, rather than lower down in the interior."
All speakers work by converting an electric signal into sound. Usually, the signal is used to generate a varying magnetic field, which in turn vibrates a mechanical cone, so producing the sound.
Warwick Audio Technology's FFL technology is a carefully designed assembly of thin, conducting and insulating, materials resulting in the development of a flexible laminate, which when excited by an electrical signal will vibrate and produce sound.
The speaker laminate operates as a perfect piston resonator. The entire diaphragm therefore radiates in phase, forming an area source. The wave front emitted by the vibrating surface is phase coherent, producing a plane wave with very high directivity and very accurate sound imaging.
"Another great application would be in PA systems for public spaces," says Steve. "The sound produced by FFLs can be directed straight at its intended audience. The sound volume and quality does not deteriorate as it does in conventional speakers, which means that public announcements in passenger terminals, for example, could be clearer, crisper, and easier to hear."
The FFL was first developed by Dr Duncan Billson and Professor David Hutchins, both from the University of Warwick, with early trials using just two sheets of tinfoil and an insulating layer of baking paper to produce sound. Since then its design has significantly evolved and the technology is now ready for commercial exploitation
The company is currently in negotiations with a number of commercial partners and continues to welcome fresh approaches. It expects to launch its first commercial product later this year.
University of Warwick
Steve Couchman, CEO of Warwick Audio Technologies, believes it could entirely replace the speakers currently used in homes and in cars, as well as in public address systems used in passenger terminals and shopping centres.
He says: "We believe this is a truly innovative technology. Its size and flexibility means it can be used in all sorts of areas where space is at a premium. Audio visual companies are investigating its use as point of sale posters for smart audio messaging and car manufacturers are particularly interested in it for its light weight and thinness, which means it can be incorporated into the headlining of cars, rather than lower down in the interior."
All speakers work by converting an electric signal into sound. Usually, the signal is used to generate a varying magnetic field, which in turn vibrates a mechanical cone, so producing the sound.
Warwick Audio Technology's FFL technology is a carefully designed assembly of thin, conducting and insulating, materials resulting in the development of a flexible laminate, which when excited by an electrical signal will vibrate and produce sound.
The speaker laminate operates as a perfect piston resonator. The entire diaphragm therefore radiates in phase, forming an area source. The wave front emitted by the vibrating surface is phase coherent, producing a plane wave with very high directivity and very accurate sound imaging.
"Another great application would be in PA systems for public spaces," says Steve. "The sound produced by FFLs can be directed straight at its intended audience. The sound volume and quality does not deteriorate as it does in conventional speakers, which means that public announcements in passenger terminals, for example, could be clearer, crisper, and easier to hear."
The FFL was first developed by Dr Duncan Billson and Professor David Hutchins, both from the University of Warwick, with early trials using just two sheets of tinfoil and an insulating layer of baking paper to produce sound. Since then its design has significantly evolved and the technology is now ready for commercial exploitation
The company is currently in negotiations with a number of commercial partners and continues to welcome fresh approaches. It expects to launch its first commercial product later this year.
University of Warwick
Loudspeaker Current Events and Loudspeaker News RSSGreat Tits eat bats in times of need
Necessity is the mother of invention: Great Tits eat hibernating common pipistrelle bats under harsh conditions of snow cover.
Computer graphics researchers simulate the sounds of water and other liquids
Splash, splatter, babble, sploosh, drip, drop, bloop and ploop! Those are some of the sounds that have been missing from computer graphic simulations of water and other fluids, according to researchers in Cornell's Department of Computer Science, who have come up with new algorithms to simulate such sounds to go with the images.
UCLA scientists discover ultrasonic communication among frogs
UCLA scientists report for the first time on the only known frog species that can communicate using purely ultrasonic calls, whose frequencies are too high to be heard by humans.
Fruit flies' response to wind offers new window to neural circuits
Try this at home: If fruit flies are buzzing around your kitchen, switch on your hairdryer and aim it at the flies. A gentle stream of air will stop them in their tracks, putting them in prime position for swatting.
Measuring the auditory dynamics of selective attention
Call it the cocktail party effect: how an individual can participate in a one-on-one conversation within a cluster of people, switch to another, pick up important comments while tuning out others, change topics and return to the first conversation.
From the egg, baby crocodiles call to each other and to mom
For the first time, researchers have shown that the pre-hatching calls of baby Nile crocodiles actually mean something to their siblings and to their mothers.
Make Way for the Real Nanopod: Berkeley Researchers Create First Fully Functional Nanotube Radio
Make way for the real nanopod and make room in the Guinness World Records. A team of researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California at Berkeley have created the first fully functional radio from a single carbon nanotube, which makes it by several orders of magnitude the smallest radio ever made.
Noise-Immune Stethoscope Helps Medics Hear Vital Signs in Loud Environments
A new type of stethoscope enables doctors to hear the sounds of the body in extremely loud situations, such as during the transportation of wounded soldiers in Blackhawk helicopters.
Rare gamma-ray flare from a distant star disturbs Earth's daytime ionosphere
On Dec. 27, 2004, scientists detected the largest gamma-ray burst ever recorded. It came from a magnetar-a neutron star with an enormous magnetic field-50,000 light years away.
Purdue findings help Coast Guard modify search-and-rescue plane
Purdue University engineers are helping the U.S. Coast Guard deal with a possible 10-fold increase in vibration that could result from installing a larger observation window in a search-and-rescue aircraft to improve visibility during missions.
More Loudspeaker Current Events and Loudspeaker News Articles
 |
5 1/4" Black 3-WAY 100 Watt Indoor/outdoor Loudspeakers by Dual With its major business lines of manufacturing and exporting electronic products, Namsung is the forefront runner of the Korean electronic industry.PRODUCT FEATURES:Woofer: Polypropylene with rubber surround;Midrange: 25mm Polypropylene cone;Tweeter: 20mm Piezo dome;Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms;Aluminum Grille (Non Removable);Rotating logo for versatile mounting options;Two 1/4-20 insert mounts on rear of each speaker;UV treated ABS enclosure;Includes multi-angle mounting brackets. |
 |
JBL L890 8-Inch 4-Way Dual Floorstanding Loudspeaker (Black) by JBL The JBL Studio L890 is 4-Way, dual 8" floorstanding loudspeaker that gives you great high frequency sound as well as impressive JBL bass. These speakers are designed to bring the superior sound you would get in a live recording into your living room. These speakers are sold individually so you need to order two to get a pair. |
 |
Pyle PPHP1598A 1000W 2 Way 15-Inch Powered Loudspeaker by Pyle 1000-Watt 2-Way 15" Powered Loudspeaker PPHP1598A |
 |
PYLE PPHP1290 800 Watt 12-Inch Two Way Plastic Molded Loudspeaker by Pyle 12-Inch Woofer1.5-Inch Titanium Compression Driver,Dual 1/4-Inch and Dual Speakon Jacks,Frequency response: 47-18 KHz,Power Handling:400 Watts RMS, 800 Watts Peak,Impedance: 8 ohm,Crossover Frequency: 3.0K Hz,35mm Speaker Stand Mount,Dimensions: W 19-Inch (f) 11-Inch (b) x D 14.5-Inch x H 24.5-Inch Weight: 31 lbs |
 |
Introduction to Loudspeaker Design by John L. Murphy (Author) Introduction to Loudspeaker Design is written for hobbyists, technicians, and engineers seeking an introductory overview of the technology of loudspeakers. Starting with a brief history of audio developments the book begins by introducing the concepts of frequency, pitch, and loudness and proceeds to develop the idea of a loudspeaker as a system with performance that can be accurately predicted using simulation techniques not unlike those used to design electronic circuits. The work is largely qualitative with an occasional mathematical example. In addition to providing a clear discussion of closed and vented type loudspeaker enclosures the work also covers bandpass enclosures and includes a complete design example for a dipole loudspeaker. The richly illustrated deluxe... |
 |
JBL L830 3-Way 6-Inch Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair, Black) by JBL The JBL Studio L830 is a 3-Way bookshelf loudspeaker that gives you great high frequency sound as well as impressive JBL low frequency performance. These speakers are designed to bring the feeling of a live performance into your living room. |
 |
Loudspeaker by Marty Friedman Marty Friedman began his career as a Shrapnel solo recording artist and later joined forces with guitar virtuoso Jason Becker to form seminal progressive metal pioneers, "Cacophony." Amassing worldwide acclaim as a guitar virtuoso, Marty came to the attention of Megadeth who were looking for a guitarist and the rest is history. Racking up sales of over 10 million records with Megadeth, Friedman continued to record solo records for Shrapnel, often embarking on musical forays far removed from his work with Megadeth. "LOUDSPEAKER" is exactly the kind of record that Friedman fans have been waiting for. It is heavy, melodic and digs down deep to his roots, reminiscent in style of his best selling Shrapnel solo record "Dragon's Kiss." |
 |
Infinity Reference 6032si 6.5-Inch Shallow Mount 150-Watt Two-Way Loudspeaker by Infinity Exchange those factory speakers for some best-in-class performance. Infinity's 6-1/2-inch Reference coaxial model boasts proprietary Infinity features like patent-pending Plus One cones, true 4-ohm topology, UniPivot edge-driven tweeters and the industry-leading Intermount III and I-Mount mounting systems, and the Starfish tweeter-mounting adapter. An ideal upgrade for your factory speakers. Features a tweeter level adjustment located on the front of the speaker. Shallow mounting depth of 1-15/16 inches. 6032si Features Plus One woofer cones |
 |
Klipsch B-2 Synergy Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair) by Klipsch The Klipsch B-2 Synergy bookshelf loudspeaker offers a winning combination of powerful bass with remarkable detail and high volumes with low distortion, making it a perfect delivery source for today's advanced digital music formats. The B-2 gets its superior sound by employing a 5.25" IMG woofer and 0.75" magnetically shielded, aluminum-dome tweeter coupled to an exclusive square Tractrix(R) Horn. It also features a rear-mounted port that increases efficiency and extends bass response. This rock-solid performer delivers all the "oomph" of movie explosions and intricate musical detail that is often associated with large floorstanding models. Available in a black finish with titanium accents, the contemporary look of the B-2 is two-fold. With its grille on, the B-2 offers a sense of... |
 |
Mackie SRM450v2 122-way Compact SR Loudspeaker by Mackie The SRM450v2 Active loudspeaker combines superior quality with innovative technology to bring ultimate performance?and reliability?to our legendary Sound Reinforcement Monitor (SRM) series. Packing way more power, clarity and punch thanks to its signature Mackie Active design with all-new drivers and Class-D fast recovery amplification, the SRM450v2 delivers pure studio monitor performance at full-on loudspeaker levels. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |