Staff Reporter, Guwahati: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with Ohio State University, have developed a groundbreaking underwater vibration sensor enabling automated, contactless voice recognition — offering hope for individuals with voice disabilities. Published in Advanced Functional Materials, the study was co-authored by Prof. Uttam Manna and team from IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Xiaoguang Wang and colleagues from Ohio State. The innovation focuses on detecting airflow from speech attempts over water surfaces, even when no sound is produced. The sensor, made from a chemically reactive porous sponge, captures subtle water waves created by exhaled air. These are converted into electrical signals, then interpreted using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), enabling silent communication with smart devices. Prof. Manna stated, “This material design recognizes voice through water wave monitoring caused by exhaled air. It could empower those with damaged vocal cords to communicate effectively.” The lab prototype costs around ₹3,000, with scope for cost reduction via industrial collaboration. The team now aims for clinical validation and further refinement by collecting data from individuals with voice disorders.
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