Spiral-Shaped Biologically-Inspired Ultrasonic Sensor

Up to now, low-frequency ultrasonic transducers have been manufactured using different materials and technologies and have been inspired by the biological world, mainly by the biosonar of dolphins and bats. Our research moves in this context, which is dedicated to investigating the feasibility of de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control ferroelectrics, and frequency control, 2020-03, Vol.67 (3), p.635-642
Main Authors: Fiorillo, Antonino S., Pullano, Salvatore A., Critello, Costantino Davide
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Animals
Biological models (mathematics)
Biosonar
Broadband
Broadband communication
Chiroptera - anatomy & histology
Chiroptera - physiology
Cochlea
Cochlea - anatomy & histology
Cochlea - physiology
Directivity
Dolphins
Echolocation - physiology
Equipment Design
ferroelectric polymer
Finite Element Analysis
Finite element method
Frequency ranges
Geometry
Models, Biological
piezoelectricity
Polyvinylidene fluorides
Polyvinyls - chemistry
Resonant frequencies
Resonant frequency
Robot sensing systems
Sensors
Sound pressure
Spirals
Transducers
Ultrasonic transducers
Ultrasonics - instrumentation
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Summary:Up to now, low-frequency ultrasonic transducers have been manufactured using different materials and technologies and have been inspired by the biological world, mainly by the biosonar of dolphins and bats. Our research moves in this context, which is dedicated to investigating the feasibility of developing a piezopolymer sensor capable of covering the wide frequency range of a bat's biosonar. We propose an ultrasonic sensor manufactured using a sheet of polyvinylidene fluoride curved according to a logarithmic spiral geometry as it is present in biological models of the cochlea. Experiments were carried out both in transmission and reception, and demonstrated that a spiral-shaped transducer can transmit and receive ultrasonic signals similar to the specific vocalizations of most of the bats in the range between 20 and 80 kHz. The resonant frequencies of the transducer were evaluated through a finite element analysis, in agreement with experimental data covering the entire broadband. During transmission, the sound pressure level showed a maximum value of 90 dB, while during reception, the sensitivity spanned from t103.8 up to t89.1 dB. Directivity measurements demonstrated omnidirectional properties both on horizontal and vertical planes, representing a breakthrough in the field of broadband ultrasonic sensors.
ISSN:0885-3010
1525-8955
DOI:10.1109/TUFFC.2019.2948817