Engineering of the Human Eye
Duration: 4 hours
Target Audience: Anyone who is interested in science, life, joy, nature and the cosmos
Brief:
Human ear is marvelous piece of engineering by nature. It encompasses all branches of engineering—pneumatic, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, computer and material science. The sound energy (pneumatic) is converted into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then converted into hydraulic forces, which is then converted into electrical signals. These electrical signals, when they reach the brain, there is a lot of computer science elements that make a sense out of it.
Human ear has three parts: Outer Ear, middle Ear, and the inner Ear. Outer Ear has the pinna and a canal through which sound travels to middle ear. Pinna reflects and refracts sound waves. Some people who have large ears can catch more sounds. Ear canal vibrates, resonates and amplifies the sound. Ear canal has another function. It secrets ear wax for self-maintenance and protection. Ear drum is conical in shape and any slight vibration is passed on to the three tiny bones. The minimum resolution of our ear drum is One tenth of a hydrogen atom or 10 power -10 cm. Middle ear has three bones: Stapes, Incus and Malleus. Inner Ear has cochlea and three semicircular canals filled with fluids. Cochlea has 24,000 nerve cells that convert hydraulic forces into electrical signals. These electrical signals reach the brain for interpretation and inference. The three semicircular canals help us balance our posture when we are walking, jogging, running, playing or dancing.
Human ear has three parts: Outer Ear, middle Ear, and the inner Ear. Outer Ear has the pinna and a canal through which sound travels to middle ear. Pinna reflects and refracts sound waves. Some people who have large ears can catch more sounds. Ear canal vibrates, resonates and amplifies the sound. Ear canal has another function. It secrets ear wax for self-maintenance and protection. Ear drum is conical in shape and any slight vibration is passed on to the three tiny bones. The minimum resolution of our ear drum is One tenth of a hydrogen atom or 10 power -10 cm. Middle ear has three bones: Stapes, Incus and Malleus. Inner Ear has cochlea and three semicircular canals filled with fluids. Cochlea has 24,000 nerve cells that convert hydraulic forces into electrical signals. These electrical signals reach the brain for interpretation and inference. The three semicircular canals help us balance our posture when we are walking, jogging, running, playing or dancing.
Outline of Lecture
This session will cover:
- Overview of senses
- Physics of sound
- Ear anatomy and functional significance
- Ear anatomy in other creatures like, fishes, whales, and bats
- Seeing by the ear (echolocation)
- Music and the ear
- Balancing of the body
- Ear diseases and medical solutions
- Conclusion
