DESCRIPTION:

The disclosed invention is designed to obviate many of the known shortcomings and limitations of capacitive microphones through use of unique comb-sensing design and approach. The disclosed design is well suited to microfabrication and should yield a capacitive microphone with 10-fold (minimum) increase in sensitivity over current configurations.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:

Any application in which a miniaturized microphone and signal processing technology could improve the utility and performance of a product. A variety of military applications are currently being investigated. Envisioned civilian applications include manufacturing of next-generation hearing aids, security devices, cell phones and teleconferencing equipment.

ADVANTAGES:

The disclosed invention provides the means for design and construction of highly innovative capacitive microphones with enhanced sensitivity that can be readily and cost-effectively produced through silicon microfabrication.

DISADVANTAGES:

The nominal capacitance is smaller than in conventional microphones.

PATENT STATUS:

Patent pending (U.S. Patent Application # 11/198,370, Filing Date: 8/5/05)