It’s Only Common Sense: The Phone Is Still Mightier Than the Keyboard
The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
Flexible Piezoelectric Acoustic Sensors for Speaker Recognition
October 5, 2018 | KAISTEstimated reading time: 1 minute
A KAIST research team led by Professor Keon Jae Lee from the Department of Material Science and Engineering has developed a machine learning-based acoustic sensor for speaker recognition.
Acoustic sensors were spotlighted as one of the most intuitive bilateral communication devices between humans and machines. However, conventional acoustic sensors use a condenser-type device for measuring capacitance between two conducting layers, resulting in low sensitivity, short recognition distance, and low speaker recognition rates.
The team fabricated a flexible piezoelectric membrane by mimicking the basilar membrane in the human cochlear. Resonant frequencies vibrate corresponding regions of the trapezoidal piezoelectric membrane, which converts voice to electrical signal with a highly sensitive self-powered acoustic sensor.
This multi-channel piezoelectric acoustic sensor exhibits sensitivity more than two times higher and allows for more abundant voice information compared to conventional acoustic sensors, which can detect minute sounds from farther distances. In addition, the acoustic sensor can achieve a 97.5% speaker recognition rate using a machine learning algorithm, reducing by 75% error rate than the reference microphone.
AI speaker recognition is the next big thing for future individual customized services. However, conventional technology attempts to improve recognition rates by using software upgrades, resulting in limited speaker recognition rates. The team enhanced the speaker recognition system by replacing the existing hardware with an innovative flexible piezoelectric acoustic sensor. Further software improvement of the piezoelectric acoustic sensor will significantly increase the speaker and voice recognition rate in diverse environments.
Professor Lee said, “Highly sensitive self-powered acoustic sensors for speaker recognition can be used for personalized voice services such as smart home appliances, AI secretaries, always-on IoT, biometric authentication, and FinTech.”
These research “Basilar Membrane-Inspired Self-Powered Acoustic Sensor” and “Machine Learning-based Acoustic Sensor for Speaker Recognition” were published in the September 2018 issue of Nano Energy.
Figure 1: A flexible piezoelectric acoustic sensor mimicking the human cochlear.
Figure 2: Speaker recognition with a machine learning algorithm.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Global Electronics Association Releases Fall Schedule of Instructor-led Courses
10/20/2025 | Corey Lynn, Global Electronics AssociationWhether you’re looking to enhance your PCB design skills, explore advanced packaging technologies, or deepen your understanding of reliability, these Global Electronics Association courses deliver high-impact learning from the best in the industry. Here are a few starting this week.
Driving Innovation: Mastering Panel Warpage
09/23/2025 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationDuring the complex and multi-step process of PCB fabrication, a panel's flatness is constantly at risk. A host of factors can introduce warpage, bending, and unevenness, presenting a fundamental challenge to achieving high-precision results. This deformation (sometimes referred to as “bow and twist”), even on a microscopic scale, can lead to critical defects during subsequent stages, such as component surface mounting (e.g., tombstoning, solder opens) and the PCB's long-term functional reliability.
Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing Acquires Full SMT Line from Manncorp
09/11/2025 | ManncorpSecure Semiconductor Manufacturing, LLC (SSM), an American-owned company dedicated to producing secure printed wiring boards and advanced assembly solutions in the MidWest USA, today announced the acquisition of a complete surface mount technology (SMT) line from Manncorp.
Driving Innovation: Depth Routing Processes—Achieving Unparalleled Precision in Complex PCBs
09/08/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving InnovationIn PCB manufacturing, the demand for increasingly complex and miniaturized designs continually pushes the boundaries of traditional fabrication methods, including depth routing. Success in these applications demands not only on robust machinery but also sophisticated control functions. PCB manufacturers rely on advanced machine features and process methodologies to meet their precise depth routing goals. Here, I’ll explore some crucial functions that empower manufacturers to master complex depth routing challenges.
MS2 Technologies, LLC/P. Kay Focuses on Central America with First Installation in Honduras
08/24/2025 | P. Kay Metal, Inc.This year MS2 Technologies has turned their focused to the growing electronics market in Central America. With that focus came the adaptation of MS2 and the Akila System from a Honduras-based corporation with manufacturing plants in both Honduras and Mexico.
Copyright © I-Connect007 | IPC Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Log in