Advanced Materials for Audio Products

Presenter:
Michael Klasco, Menlo Scientific Ltd. - Richmond, CA, USA

The advances in materials science in the last few years has been remarkable. Product demand in all categories are driving this rapid advancement. In this session, we will cover the latest in materials now being used for and being planned for the next generation audio products.

New plastics that are stiffer and better damped than commodity plastics result in less enclosure buzz and smoother response. Active noise canceling and acoustic echo cancelers especially benefit from these materials. Nano materials enhance water repellent surface treatments to CVD coatings for enhanced structural integrity. Thermoplastic carbon fiber composites deliver high strength for speaker diaphragms to horns and enclosures with fast forming speed compared to thermosets. Ongoing development of graphene for microphones, headphones and micro-speakers promises significant performance advances. Elastic (helical conductor) audio cables provide elongation to 40% while delivering non-tangling and non-microphonic (no body noise).

You will see examples of the materials available so you as a product developer can start seeing how your products ride the next wave of ultra-materials.