High sensitivity acoustic flow sensing based on bio-inspired web-like structure for panoramic acoustic perception

Area of Science:

• Bio-inspired engineering
• Acoustic sensing technology
• Materials science

Background:

• Panoramic perception requires comprehensive information acquisition.
• Acoustic sensing is a familiar and promising channel for information conveyance.
• Spiders utilize web structures for highly efficient acoustic-induced air particle motion detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a bio-inspired web-like structure mimicking the spider's auditory system.
• To achieve superior mechanical compliance, high sensitivity, and excellent low-frequency response in acoustic detection.
• To explore the potential for high-performance panoramic acoustic perception.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a bio-inspired web-like structure.
• Experimental and simulation-based characterization of acoustic response.
• Evaluation of mechanical compliance, sensitivity, frequency response, and directionality.

Main Results:

• The bio-inspired structure exhibits superior mechanical compliance (23.6–0.016 μm/Pa).
• High sensitivity (9.36 mm/s/Pa @100 Hz) and excellent low-frequency response (10 Hz experimental, 1 Hz simulation) were achieved.
• Fine frequency resolution (0.05 Hz) and inherent acoustic directionality were demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The bio-inspired web-like structure is well-suited for high-performance acoustic detection.
• This technology holds significant potential for panoramic acoustic perception.
• The sensing system shows promise for applications in autonomous driving, disaster monitoring, human-computer interaction, and national defense.