US Patent 8019097 - CNT thermoacoustic device

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8019097.html


Electroacoustic transducers such as loudspeakers typically require magnetic elements which can add to the weight of the transducer. This patent from Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) teaches how thermoacoustic effects produced by carbon nanotubes may be used as a replacement leading to reduced size and weight of loudspeakers and other electroacoustic devices. Claim 21 reads:

21. A sound producing device, the sound producing device comprising:

at least one carbon nanotube wire structure in contact with a medium;

wherein the at least one carbon nanotube wire structure produces sound waves by a thermoacoustic effect.