At the center of the sensor is a vibrating cantilever, a thin beam attached at one end. Music within the frequency range of 200-500 hertz causes the lever to vibrate, which generates electricity that a capacitor stores. Researchers experimented with four types of music: rap, blues, jazz and rock. They found rap worked the best because it contains a lot of low frequency sound like the bass.
Researchers say the sensor could be used in a system for treating incontinence in people with paralysis by checking bladder pressure and stimulating the spinal cord to close the sphincter that controls urine flow from the bladder.
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