Stanford Mechanics and Computation
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Biomechanics in Hearing
===Biomechanics in hearing=== The sense and sensitivity of hearing is one of the most remarkable examples of a biomechanical system. Mammals are unique in their ability to hear high frequency sounds above 10 kHz, presumably for sound localization. They have unique anatomical structures to support high frequency hearing, which includes a four-layer composite eardrum, three middle ear bones, and hair cells that have piezo electric like properties. The OtoBiomechanics Group at Stanford is developing anatomically based three-dimensional and multi-scale computational models of the middle ear and the cochlea. We combine dynamical measurements of the ear with advances in medical imaging of anatomical structures, and three-dimensional bio-computational modeling. Our plan is to build multiscale computational models of sound transmission of the eardrum, middle ear bones, cochlear partition, hair cells, and hair-cell tip links, with dimensions ranging from cm to nm. An eclectic mix of WKB asymptotic, shell theory and finite element computational methods combined with imaging modalities that includes uCT, multiphoton microscopy, single harmonic generation, and S/TEM is used to elucidate the underlying principles for high frequency hearing. The talk will summarize the current status with an eye towards future projects.
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