Graphene, that wonder material that seems to have no limits to its usefulness, is now being used to give humans the gift of ultrasonic hearing. With the lightweight ultrasonic microphones and loudspeakers created by UC Berkeley physicists Alex Zettl, Qin Zhou, and their colleagues, people can now hear high frequencies just like dolphins and bats. The devices were made by replacing the traditional paper or plastic diaphragms found in microphones and speakers with sheets of one-atom-thick graphene. The novel material makes it possible for the devices to operate at incredible frequencies.

Humans normally hear in the 20 hertz to 20,000 hertz range while bats hear in the 9 to 200 kilohertz range. The graphene devices operate from subsonic to supersonic frequencies: from under 20 hertz to over 500 kilohertz. Because the graphene membrane is so thin, light, and responsive, it is far more efficient than current diaphragm materials. Current speakers only convert around 8 percent of received energy into sound; the graphene versions can convert over 99 percent of that energy into sound.

The ultrasonic graphene devices could be used to transmit information in electromagnetic waves through objects or even underwater – with far greater detail and reliability than traditional sonar. In the somewhat far-off future, the researchers anticipate that devices like mobile phones, speakers, and headphones will use diaphragms made of graphene sheets. But for now, the technology will be used to study high-frequency auditory signals, including the bat chirps that are normally far outside of human hearing range.

The post Ultra-Thin Graphene Membranes Will Let Humans Hear Like Bats first appeared on Gajitz.

You know those tiny porthole-type windows that people clamber to sit next to on airplanes? Their very presence can make a long flight seem a bit more bearable, but they add considerable weight and drag to the plane itself. Spike Aerospace is planning to build a supersonic jet that will take passengers from New York to London in under four hours, and a lack of windows is partially to thank for this incredible speed.

The standard airplane can fly at around 567 miles per hour. Spike Aerospace‘s S-512, however, will cruise at speeds of 1,060 up to 1,370 miles per hour. Its extreme performance can be attributed to its advanced engine and and body technology – and its lack of windows.

Instead of windows, the S-512 jet will feature curved digital screens running the entire length of the passenger compartment. Cameras on the outside of the plane can give a real-time view of the surroundings, or passengers can choose to watch other pre-recorded scenic views.

The advanced design technology that went into designing the S-512 also makes it incredibly fuel efficient, making the jet an eco-friendlier way to fly. Its speed will make it attractive to businesses that need to shuttle their executives around the globe quickly and often. The S-512 is expected to hit the market sometime in late 2018 with whopping price tag of £48 million – or around $80.6 million US (at the time of publication).

The post Supersonic Jet Gains Speed by Ditching the Little Windows first appeared on Gajitz.