Objective
There is a critical need for high-resolution acoustic sensors for numerous applications in engineering/medicine. The human cochlea has been a source of inspiration for acoustic sensors due its improved sensitivity, higher frequency range, and sharp frequency discrimination. Current methods for measuring cochlear mechanics are inherently invasive, and deep understanding of its process remains elusive, proving challenging its simulation in electromechanical devices. Yet cochlear organ for frequency selectivity is not unique to mammalian audition. A simpler analogous mechanism for frequency analysis was recently found in the ears of bush-crickets (insects). These insects are endowed with outer middle and inner ear, but unlike mammals their cochlea is small (~0.6 mm), uncoiled, and exceptionally accessible through transparent cuticle. These attributes facilitate the clean measurements of complex auditory processes impossible to attain in the mammalian cochlea, and open an exceptional opportunity for miniaturization and simplification of artificial acoustic sensors.
Using bush-crickets and relatives as model systems this project is designed to fulfil the following two main objectives: (1) to dissect the three ear components to i) identify the elements involved in acute hearing sensitivity, ii) characterise the role of multiple sound inputs in directional hearing, iii) associate the activation patterns of auditory afferents with mechanical waves in the insect cochlea. (2) Use experimental data to produce computer models and theoretical analogues of the insect cochlea to propose innovative alternatives in the design of acoustic sensors. By using a multi-disciplinary approach between biology, engineering, physics and mathematics, this project is designed to develop new technological improvements that constitute the grounds of the next-generation of miniature, super-sensitive acoustic sensors.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- social sciences sociology social issues social inequalities
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
- natural sciences mathematics
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2017-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
LN6 7TS Lincoln
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.