Scientists at Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich have created a nano-ear which can trap sound waves much below the human ear can hear. With this technology, scientists have added an entirely new dimension to the domains of acoustics and biology. This nano-ear studies sound waves emitted by micro-organisms.
A team of German engineers including Jochen Feldmann and Andrey Lutich have achieved the breakthrough. After working on the principle of sensing sound waves at nano level, the two scientists have come to the conclusion that if gold nano particles are used along with lasers, an instrument which has sensitivity 6 magnitudes less than human ears can be created.
The duo used a beam of laser at specific point in this experiment. They created an electric field with the network of lasers. According to a report, this makes the electric dipole moment attract nearest nano particle in the Web so created. The frequency of the sound waves making vibrations in nano-particles is sensed and related to sound waves of a particular frequency. The engineers claim that with this nano-ear, one can hear sense sound as low as -60dB. |
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