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.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a graphene membrane having a diameter of about 5 millimeters to 9 millimeters;
- a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive and having a first oxide layer disposed thereon;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive and having a second oxide layer disposed thereon, the graphene membrane being suspended between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein the device is a microphone.
A condenser microphone comprising:
- a graphene membrane;
- a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive and having a first oxide layer disposed thereon;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive and having a second oxide layer disposed thereon, the graphene membrane being suspended between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein the condenser microphone 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.
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 having a first oxide layer disposed thereon;
- and
- a second electrode proximate a second side of the graphene membrane, the second electrode being electrically conductive and having a second oxide layer disposed thereon, 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 the frequency and/or the amplitude of the sound wave by measuring an output signal generated at the first electrode and/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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.