Entrant: Brendan Latham

Copyright: 2024 Brendan Latham

Funding: EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership

Crickets have ears like us, with eardrums, but behind that eardrum is a hidden world that has baffled scientists for decades. The right-hand image of the cricket ear is captured using micro-CT imaging. Everything in red is less than 10 micrometres thick, revealing three interlinked membranes that both transmit and tune signals. This finding could help inspire the innovation of new microphones, especially the type used to improve hearing aids.