Electrostatic graphene speaker
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsQin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
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Abstract
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, a device includes a graphene membrane, a first frame on a first side of the graphene membrane, and a second frame on a second side of the graphene membrane. The first frame and the second frame both include substantially circular open regions that define a substantially circular portion of the graphene membrane. A first electrode is proximate the first side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane. A second electrode proximate the second side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane.
Claims29
A device comprising:
- a graphene membrane having a diameter of about 3 millimeters to 11 millimeters;
- a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive, the graphene membrane being suspended between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein the device is a microphone or a loudspeaker.
A device comprising:
- a graphene membrane;
- a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive, the graphene membrane being suspended between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein the device is configured to have a frequency response across a frequency range at least from 20 Hz to 20 kHz or across the entire human audible frequency range,
- wherein the device is a microphone or a loudspeaker.
A method comprising:
- (a) providing a device including:
- a graphene membrane;
- a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive, the graphene membrane being suspended between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- (b) biasing the graphene membrane with a direct current voltage;
- (c) receiving a sound wave which causes the graphene membrane to vibrate;
- (d) measuring at least one of the frequency or the amplitude of the sound wave by measuring an output signal generated at at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode;
- wherein the device is configured to have a frequency response at least from 20 Hz to 20 kHz or across the entire human audible frequency range.
A method comprising:
- (a) providing a device including;
- a graphene membrane;
- a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive, the graphene membrane being suspended between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- (b) biasing the graphene membrane with a direct current voltage;
- and
- (c) biasing the first electrode and the second electrode with an input signal, causing the graphene membrane to move and generate an audible sound;
- wherein the device is configured to generate a broad hand response at least from 20 Hz to 20 kHz in step (c).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.