Electronic component and method for manufacturing an electronic component

Abstract

An electronic component (100) is provided according to various aspects. The electronic component (100) can comprise: a frame (102b) with at least one opening (110); a gel (108) arranged on the frame (102b) such that it at least partially covers the at least one opening (110); a first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106) arranged at least partially in the gel (108); an electrically conductive polymer structure (112) embedded in the gel (108) and configured such that the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) electrically connects the first electrode (104) and the second electrode (106).

Description

Various aspects relate to an electronic component and a method for producing an electronic component.The detection of infrasonics has been found to be useful for detecting and investigating natural phenomena such as earthquakes, avalanches, volcanic outbreaks and many more. However, it is also possible to use infrasonic sensors in practice, inter alia in aviation technology for investigating the movement of air masses and the therefore incoming calculation of optimum flight routes for saving fuel and avoiding turbulence.Existing infrasonic sensors usually require complex signal transducers (e.g. mechanical, optical, piezoelectric) which are either difficult to integrate or do not offer sufficient sensitivity. In addition, typical sensors react linearly, which may be a limiting factor in more complex applications. Improving the performance of infrasonic detectors may therefore be of particular importance for the advancement of various technologies.DE 102020115713 A1 discloses an electronic component having a substrate, wherein the substrate has a plurality of input electrodes and a plurality of output electrodes which are arranged on and / or in the substrate at a distance from one another; and have an electrically conductive network made of one or more electrically conductive polymers, wherein the electrically conductive network is configured to electrically crosslink the plurality of input electrodes to the plurality of output electrodes. DE 102019127000 A1 discloses an electronic component having a substrate, wherein the substrate can have at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are each arranged on and / or in the substrate at a distance from one another.Various aspects relate to an electronic component which is suitably configured to convert sound signals directly by means of an electrochemical converter into an evaluable electrical signal (e.g. into a current or into a voltage). The use of an electrochemical converter enables a simple configuration of a sound sensor which does not require complex components for the conversion of the sound signal into an evaluable signal. In particular, the electronic component may be free of piezoelectric transducers, optical transducers or mechanical transducers, which enables a simpler manufacturing process and a simpler integration.The electronic component may, for example, comprise polymer conductor tracks which are formed (e.g. grown) between two or more than two electrodes. The polymer traces may be arranged (e.g., embedded, dipped) in a film, and the film and polymer traces may be configured such that mechanical oscillations of the film cause a corresponding change in the electrical conductivity of the polymer traces. This arrangement thus allows for an assignment of changes in the current flow through the polymer conductor tracks with corresponding properties of the mechanical oscillation, which enables sound detection with high sensitivity.In some aspects, the polymer traces (and / or film) may be ion conductive, and the sound detection may be based on changes in the electrical conductivity of the polymer traces caused by local changes or fluctuations in the ion concentration in the polymer traces (and / or film) due to the mechanical oscillations. The variations in ion concentration may be vibration dependent (e.g., frequency dependent) and may cause corresponding vibration dependent changes in current flow through the polymer traces (e.g., due to redox reactions). Sound detection based on such an electrochemical mechanism offers a higher sensitivity with a relatively simple and cost-effective arrangement.In some aspects, the arrangement described herein enables the analysis of the measured signal directly in the time domain without requiring conversion to the frequency domain, which may simplify the detection. For example, the temporal behavior of the current flow through the polymer conductor tracks can be associated with corresponding properties of the mechanical oscillation. For example, one or more characteristics of current flow through the polymer traces (e.g., a time variation of amplitude, the shape of a current spike, the width of a current spike, etc.) may be correlated with corresponding oscillations or oscillation patterns. This enables the current flow to be assigned to known types of oscillations, for example to a specific source of the oscillation or to specific information coded in the oscillation. In particular, the electronic component may be used for speech recognition in that the behavior of the stream in the time domain may be associated (in other words, correlated) with corresponding speech patterns (e.g. corresponding spoken tones). The electronic component can thus provide a cost-effective but reliable component for speech recognition systems.As already mentioned, the electronic component described here has proven to be particularly suitable for sound detection in view of the sensitivity of the arrangement to mechanical oscillations. Therefore, in the present disclosure, reference can be made in particular to sound detection and the use of the electronic component for sound detection.However, it should be appreciated that the electronic device may also be used for other types of systems or applications. As another example, the arrangement of polymer traces coupled between electrodes may be advantageous to provide a neural network that may be programmed or reprogrammed by applying appropriate electrical signals to the polymer traces. For example, the electronic component described herein may be used as a neural network for reservoir computing.In a preferred embodiment, the film in which the polymer traces are embedded may be a gel, which may provide a more robust and stable system. Various aspects thus relate to an electronic component which has a gel, for example. The electronic component may further comprise at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged (e.g. embedded, immersed) in the gel. The electronic component may further comprise an electrically conductive polymer structure (illustratively a polymer trace) arranged (e.g. completely embedded, completely immersed) in the gel and electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to each other. The use of a gel as a carrier element for the electrically conductive polymer structure (and for the electrodes) provides a stable and robust system, which resists e.g. mechanical oscillations for sound detection.By means of a control device, for example, a corresponding electrical signal can be applied to the at least two electrodes, so that a current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure between the two electrodes can be caused. Monitoring the behavior of the current flow over time makes it possible to detect mechanical oscillations of the gel and accordingly to determine properties of the oscillation, such as the type of oscillation, the source of the oscillation, information encoded in the oscillation and the like.According to various aspects, the electrically conductive polymer structure may include or consist of one or more fiber structures. The one or more fiber structures can, for example, form in the form of a net. Between the two electrodes, fiber structures can be grown by applying an electrical alternating signal (e.g. by means of the control device) to the electrodes, whereby a simple and reproducible production of the electrically conductive polymer structure is made possible.According to various aspects, the electronic component may further comprise a suitable gate structure, which enables the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure to be influenced (e.g. adjusted in a targeted manner) by means of an electric field. According to various aspects, each further electrode may function as a gate structure provided in addition to the at least two electrodes.In particular, the electric field defined by means of the gate structure can influence the reaction of the current flow through the polymer structure to mechanical oscillations. In a first electric field (e.g., an electric field having a first field strength), the current flow through the polymer structure may have a linear response to the mechanical oscillations. In a second electric field (e.g., an electric field having a second field strength), the current flow through the polymer structure may have a non-linear response to the mechanical oscillations. By means of the gate structure, the response (in other words, the response) of the polymer structure can be adjusted in a simple and reproducible manner, which increases the flexibility of the detection and enables more complex use cases compared to conventional sound detectors.According to some aspects, an electronic component is provided, which comprises, for example, a frame (e.g. a frame structure) having at least one opening. The electronic component may further include a gel disposed on the frame to at least partially cover the at least one opening. The electronic component may further comprise at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged (e.g. embedded, immersed) in the gel. The electronic component may further comprise an electrically conductive polymer structure (illustratively a polymer trace) arranged (e.g. completely embedded, completely immersed) in the gel and electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to each other. The aperture may allow the gel to receive sound waves that vibrate the gel, which is an advantageous configuration for sound detection.According to some aspects, an electronic component is provided, which comprises, for example, a frame having at least one opening and a (e.g. free-standing) film, wherein the (e.g. free-standing) film is arranged on the frame such that it at least partially covers the at least one opening. The electronic component may further include a first electrode and a second electrode arranged at least partially in the film and an electrically conductive polymer structure arranged (e.g. completely embedded, completely immersed) in the film and configured such that the electrically conductive polymer structure electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode to each other. A film, e.g., a liquid free-standing film or a gelled free-standing film, may allow efficient detection of acoustic waves.According to various aspects, a method for producing an electronic component is provided, wherein the method comprises: providing an electrolyte material at least in a spatial region between at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are arranged at least partially in the electrolyte material, and wherein the electrolyte material comprises at least one polymerizable material. The method may further comprise: forming at least one electrical connection between the at least two electrodes by polymerizing the at least one polymerizable material to form an electrically conductive polymer. In some aspects, the method may further include causing the electrolyte material to gel to obtain a gel in which the electrically conductive polymer is embedded and in which the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged (e.g. embedded).Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail below.The following are shown: FIGS. 1A and 1B show an electronic component in a schematic view, according to various aspects; FIG. 1C shows an electrically conductive polymer structure comprising a fiber structure in a schematic view, according to various aspects; FIG. 2 shows an electronic component comprising a control device in a schematic view, according to various aspects; FIGS. 3A and 3B show diagrams of speech recognition by means of the electronic component, according to various aspects; FIG. 4 shows an electronic component comprising a third electrode in a schematic view, according to various aspects; FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating linear and non-linear response of the electronic device, according to various aspects; and FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for manufacturing an electronic component, according to various aspects.In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which is shown by way of illustration specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically stated otherwise. The following description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.According to various aspects, an electronic component may include a substrate. The substrate can have a planar surface, for example, and serve as a carrier for electrodes or the like, for example. The substrate can be mechanically rigid, e.g. rigid, rigid or rigid, or the substrate can be mechanically flexible, e.g. bendable, elastic or movable. A structure which is not physically connected to the electrodes of the electronic component described herein, for example, cannot be understood as a substrate. In some aspects, the substrate may be configured as a frame, e.g., as a frame structure having at least one opening.The term "electrical connection" as used herein may describe, for example, a structure embodied by an electrically conductive polymer. The electrically conductive polymer extends, for example, between at least two electrodes and can be in physical contact with the at least two electrodes. According to various aspects, a film (e.g. in the form of a liquid or a gel) may be provided between the at least two electrodes, wherein, even if the film is electrically conductive to a certain extent, it is not understood as an electrical connection. The term "electrical connection" as used herein may describe, for example, a structure that provides electrical conductivity based on electron or hole conduction.As used herein, the term "gel" may describe a semi-solid substance in which solid constituents (e.g., particles) are dispersed in a liquid and form a new aggregate state, which may be solid or semi-solid. A "gel" may be a coherent mass in which a liquid medium has reached a certain viscosity, so that the medium behaves like a solid, e.g. can maintain its shape. In comparison to liquids which are considered incompressible for practical purposes, a gel can be compressible, for example, and have elastic properties, so that a gel can return to its original shape after (elastic) deformation. A gel can be configured, for example, such that it can be brought from a first shape into a second shape by a deformation and that it can return from the second shape into the first shape after the force which causes the deformation has been released. A gel may be viscoelastic. As a numerical example, a "gel" may have a modulus of elasticity in the range of kPa (kiloPascals) to GPa (gigaPascals), e.g., a modulus of elasticity of about 10 3 Pa to about 10 9 Pa. For example, a gel may have a higher viscosity than a liquid. As another example, a gel may contain a network of cross-linked molecules that trap a liquid within the network, while a (pure) liquid consists of molecules that are free to move towards each other. In a preferred configuration, the gel may be a gelled electrolyte, illustratively a solid electrolyte, provided by gelling a liquid electrolyte solution.The term "free-standing" as used herein may describe an element (e.g., a film, e.g., a gel) configured such that it may exist without necessarily being adhered to a substrate or without necessarily being supported by a substrate. A "free-standing" element may thus be "self-supporting", wherein the free-standing element may maintain its shape without being attached to a solid surface. A "free-standing" element may thus be arranged (e.g. reversibly) on a non-continuous substrate, e.g. on a frame structure having an opening, and the properties of the "free-standing" element (e.g. the free-standing liquid film or gel) allow to arrange the element over the non-continuous parts (illustratively, the openings) of the substrate.FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an electronic component 100 in two possible embodiments 100 a, 100 bin a schematic view, according to various aspects.According to various aspects, the electronic component 100 may include a substrate 102 a, 102 b. The electronic component 100 or the substrate 102 a, 102 bof the electronic component 100 can have, for example, at least two electrodes 104, 106. The at least two electrodes 104, 106 are each arranged on and / or in the substrate 102 a, 102 bat a distance from one another.The substrate 102 a, 102 bmay be a non-conductive substrate, for example. The substrate 102 a, 102 bmay have, for example, an electrically semiconducting or electrically conducting section, wherein this can then be electrically insulated from the at least two electrodes 104, 106 by means of at least one electrically insulating layer.For example, the substrate 102 a, 102 bmay include or be formed from a steel film, steel sheet, a plastic wafer, a plastic film, or a laminate having one or more plastic films. The plastic may include or be formed from one or more polyolefins (for example high or low density polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP)). Furthermore, the plastic may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyester and / or polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and / or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or be formed therefrom. The substrate 102 a, 102 bmay include one or more of the above materials.The substrate 102 a, 102 bmay include or consist of natural polymers, e.g. cellulose, collagen, polylactate acid, gelatin, according to various aspects. These natural polymers or other materials can function, for example, as an ion-conducting material.According to various aspects, the electronic component 100 may include a film 108 arranged on the substrate 102 a, 102 b. The film 108 may serve as a support for embedding an electrically conductive polymer structure, which is explained in more detail below. In this regard, the film 108 may be a flexible member for embedding the electrically conductive polymer structure. The term "film" may be used herein to describe that the element 108 has a thickness less than its lateral extent, e.g., less than its width or diameter. For example only, the film 108 may have a thickness that is at least twice less than its lateral extent, e.g., at least five times less. For numerical example only, the film 108 may have a thickness in the range of 500 μm to 5 mm, e.g., in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm. As another numerical example, the film 108 may have a lateral extent along its major dimension in the range of 1 mm to 200 mm, e.g., in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm, e.g., in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. A "film" may also be referred to herein as a sheet or layer.In some aspects (as shown in FIG. 1A ), the substrate 102 amay be a continuous substrate. Illustratively, the substrate 102 amay be free of openings. The substrate 102 amay be a continuous solid body, for example. In such a scenario, the film 108 may be disposed on a continuous (in other words, continuous or uninterrupted) portion of the substrate 102 a.In other aspects (as shown in FIG. 1B ), the substrate 102 bmay be a frame (e.g., patterned) or may be configured as a frame. Illustratively, the substrate 102 bmay include at least one opening 110 surrounded by a frame. In such a scenario, the film 108 may be arranged on the frame (in other words, on the frame structure) such that the film 108 at least partially covers the at least one opening 110. As shown in FIG. 1B, the film 108 may be arranged to cover the opening 110 without being arranged inside the opening 110 (at least when the element 100 is not operated for detecting sound waves). The film 108 may thus be disposed over the opening 110, but not within the sidewalls of the substrate 102 bdefining the opening 110.Thus, in some aspects, the substrate 102 bmay include a through opening 110 extending through the substrate 102 b. The opening 110 may be an open-ended cavity that extends across the entire thickness of the substrate 102 b. The opening 110 may thus be formed in a direction perpendicular to a major dimension of the substrate 102 b(e.g., perpendicular to a width or a diameter of the substrate 102 b). A portion of the film 108 may be disposed on the frame structure and a portion of the film 108 may be disposed on (e.g., aligned with) the opening 110. For example, the film 108 may have an edge portion disposed on the frame and a central portion at least partially covering the opening 110. In a preferred configuration, the film 108 may be arranged to fully cover the opening 110. Illustratively, one side of the opening 110 may be fully closed by the film 108 while the opposite side of the opening 110 remains open.The geometric properties of the opening 110, e.g. its size and shape, can be adapted as desired. Generally, the presence of an opening 110 is provided to enable the use of the electronic device 100 for detecting sound waves. In this context, the geometric properties of the aperture 110 may be adjusted such that sound waves may reach the film 108 (through the aperture 110) and that mechanical vibration of the film 108 is possible. As a numerical example, a size of the opening 110, e.g., a lateral extension (e.g., a diameter) of the opening 110 in the direction parallel to the main dimension of the substrate 102 bmay be in the range of 1 mm to 150 mm, e.g., in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm, e.g., in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm.Accordingly, the substrate 102 bmay be patterned to define any suitable shape of the opening 110. For example, the opening 110 may be circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, or polygonal. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening 110 may have a shape with rotational symmetry about an axis passing through the center of the opening 110.It is understood that the substrate 102 bmay include more than one opening 110, e.g. a plurality of openings 110, in which case the film 108 may be arranged to at least partially cover each of the openings 110, e.g. to completely cover each of the openings 110. For example, the openings may be arranged in an array, e.g., in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array.As mentioned above, in a preferred configuration, the film 108 may be a gel. The gel can be formed, for example, by gelling a liquid electrolyte, as will be explained in more detail below (see also FIG. 6 ). It has been shown that a gel represents a robust, but nevertheless flexible and cost-effective structure for the formation of an electrical component, in particular for the detection of sound waves (e.g. for providing an infrasonic sensor). In some aspects, the electronic device 100 may include a gel 108 disposed on the substrate 102 a, 102 b, e.g., a gel 108 disposed on the frame 102 bto at least partially (e.g., completely) cover the opening 110.In other aspects, the film 108 may be a liquid film. For example, the film 108 may be a liquid electrolyte disposed on the substrate 102 a, 102 b. Given the presence of an opening 110, the liquid film may be configured such that adhesion forces hold the liquid film in place.In various aspects, the at least one opening 110 may have a tapered wall extending through the thickness of the substrate 102 b. The sidewall of the opening 110 may have a tapered profile such that the opening 110 has a first lateral extent (e.g., a first diameter) on the side of the substrate 102 bon which the film 108 is disposed and a second, larger lateral extent (e.g., a second, larger diameter) on the opposite side of the substrate 102 b. Illustratively, the opening 110 may have the shape of a truncated cone, with the film 108 being disposed at the tip of the truncated cone and the base of the truncated cone being disposed on the opposite side of the substrate 102 b. A tapered profile may increase the stability of the assembly and improve the retention of the film 108 to cover the aperture 110, and may further provide a larger acoustic wave entry location.In various aspects, the film 108 may be free-standing. For example, the film 108 may be disposed on the substrate 102 a, 102 bwithout being attached or adhered to the substrate. In this configuration, the film 108 may rest on the substrate 102 a, 102 b(e.g., on the frame) without a mechanical or adhesive bond that fixes the film 108 to the substrate 102 a, 102 b. This configuration may enhance the response of the film 108 to sound waves for sound detection. However, it should be appreciated that in other aspects, the film 108 may be attached or adhered to the substrate 102 a, 102 b. For example, the edge portion of the film 108 may be fixed to the frame surrounding the opening 110.At least a first electrode 104 and a second electrode 106 can be formed on and / or in the substrate 102 a, 102 b. The at least two electrodes 104, 106 may be arranged, for example, substantially in the same plane on and / or in the substrate 102. In some embodiments, the substrate 102 may have a substantially planar surface, and the at least two electrodes 104, 106 may be directly deposited on the planar surface. Alternatively, the at least two electrodes 104, 106 may be arranged in different planes on and / or in the substrate 102.For example, the at least two electrodes 104, 106 may have a distance of less than 1000 μm from one another, e.g. less than 500 μm, less than 200 μm, less than 100 μm. The distance may be defined, for example, along the major dimension of the substrate 102 a, 102 b.The at least two electrodes 104, 106 may comprise or consist of a metal or a metal alloy, for example. For example, the at least two electrodes 104, 106 may include or consist of aluminum, copper, gold, platinum, silver. The at least two electrodes 104, 106 can also have or consist of silver chloride, platinum, iridium, palladium, nickel, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, etc., for example. Also, the at least two electrodes 104, 106 may include or consist of carbon or a highly conductive polymer (e.g. PEDOT:PSS).The electrical component 100 may further include an electrically conductive polymer structure 112 (e.g. a polymer trace). The electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may be embedded in the film 108 (e.g., the gel). The electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may thus be included in the film 108. Illustratively, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may be laterally completely surrounded by the material of the film 108. As will be described in more detail below, the polymeric structure 112 may serve as a transducer element for sound detection, such that embedding it in the film 108 provides robustness for the polymeric structure 112 to withstand the vibrations caused by sound waves.The polymer structure 112 may thus be arranged at a distance above the substrate 102 a, 102 b. Illustratively, the polymer structure 112 may be completely free of physical contact with the substrate 102 a, 102 b.The electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may be disposed over the opening 110. For example, the polymeric structure 112 may have a lateral dimension less than the lateral dimension of the opening 110, and the polymeric structure 112 may be arranged such that the polymeric structure 112 does not protrude beyond the boundaries of the opening 110. For example, the polymer structure 112 may be arranged such that the ends of the polymer structure 112 are arranged over the opening 110 and the entire polymer structure 112 is enclosed in a volume defined by a projection of the opening 110 in the vertical direction (e.g., along the thickness of the substrate 102 b).The electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may be configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least two electrodes 104, 106. Illustratively, the polymer structure 112 may be configured to electrically conductively and physically connect the first electrode 104 and the second electrode 106 to one another. The electrical conductivity of the film 108 may thus be less than the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112.The electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may thus be coupled to the first electrode 104 and the second electrode 106, e.g. it may be in physical contact with the electrodes 104, 106. The polymer structure 112 may be formed, for example, by a polymerization process in which an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes 104, 106 such that the polymer structure 112 grows from the electrodes 104, 106 (see also FIG. 6 ). This type of structure allows a fast and cost effective manufacturing process.As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the two electrodes 104, 106 may be at least partially disposed in the film 108 (e.g., in the gel). For example, the two electrodes 104, 106 may be at least partially immersed in the film 108. For example, at least a portion of the electrodes 104, 106 may be laterally surrounded by the film 108. For example, the electrodes 104, 106 may include at least a portion where one side of the electrodes 104, 106 is disposed on the substrate 102 a, 102 b(e.g., a side in direct physical contact with the substrate 102 a, 102 b), and the other sides of the electrodes 104, 106 are surrounded by the film 108. In particular, in the case of an electrode 104, 106, the part at which the polymer structure 112 is coupled to the electrode 104, 106 can be arranged in the film 108. This configuration ensures that the polymer structure 112 is embedded in the film 108, thereby increasing the robustness of the arrangement.In some aspects, the first electrode 104 and the second electrode 106 may be at least partially disposed over the at least one opening 110, as shown in FIG. 1B. Illustratively, the electrodes 104, 106 may extend at least partially over the at least one opening 110 (and overlap the opening 110). In particular, in the case of an electrode 104, 106, the part at which the polymer structure 112 is coupled to the electrode 104, 106 can be arranged via the at least one opening 110. This configuration ensures that the polymeric structure 112 is disposed over the aperture 110, thereby enhancing the response of the polymeric structure 112 to mechanical oscillations of the film 108.As an exemplary configuration, the first electrode can be a first wire and / or the second electrode can be a second wire. Illustratively, the electrodes 104, 106 may be realized in the form of a wire, which is an advantageous variant for arranging at least a part of the wire in the film 108. For example, at least the tip of the wire (e.g., the first and / or second wire) may be disposed in the film 108 (e.g., in the gel). For example, the polymer structure 112 may be coupled to each wire at the respective tip.It is understood that the electronic component 100 may in principle comprise more than two electrodes 104, 106, which are electrically connected to one another by means of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112.Based on the general configuration described above, aspects of the present disclosure may be based on the realization that the electronic device 100 may be adapted for detecting sound waves. In this regard, configuration 100 bmay provide a suitable structure for providing a sound sensor, e.g., an infrasonic sensor. Aspects related to the use of the acoustic wave sensing device 100 will now be described, particularly referring to the configuration 100 bof FIG. 1B in which the opening 110 allows passage of acoustic waves and mechanical vibration of the film 108. However, it should be appreciated that some aspects may also apply to the configuration 100 aof FIG. 1A in a corresponding manner.In this regard, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may be configured such that mechanical vibration of the film 108 (e.g., the gel) causes a change in the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112. Illustratively, aspects of the present disclosure may be based on the realization that the polymer structure 112 and the film 108 may be configured to provide a transducer element for converting mechanical oscillations of the film 108 (caused by sound waves) into a measurable signal provided by the measurable change in the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112. The film 108 may thus function as a membrane that vibrates when it receives a sound wave, and the polymeric structure 112 causes electrochemical conversion of the mechanical input to an electrical output.In particular, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may include a polymer material which is electrically conductive and ion conductive. The ion concentration in the polymer structure 112 influences its electrical conductivity. The mechanical vibration of the film 108 (and accordingly the polymer structure 112) may cause local variations in the ion concentration that cause a corresponding change in the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112. This phenomenon may be associated with redox reactions occurring in the polymer structure 112 (e.g., configured as redox reactive polymer networks) such that excitation of the film 108 by acoustic wave causes a change in current flow in the polymer structure 112 (between the electrodes 104, 106). This generates a voltage which can be measured.Thus, in various aspects, the film 108 may include ions (e.g., PF 6- ions) that may move within the film 108 and the electrically conductive polymer structure 112. Illustratively, the film 108 may include mobile ions. In this case, the movable ions can, for example, penetrate into the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 in such a way that the electrical connection is doped. Alternatively, the ions may, for example, be deposited on the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 such that the electrical connection is influenced. This allows, for example, an evaluable change in the electrical properties of the electrical connection between the electrodes 104, 106. The film 108 may thus be more ionic and the concentration of the ions may be selected / adjusted to cause measurable changes in the conductivity of the polymer structure due to oscillations of the film 108.In some aspects, the material of the film 108 (e.g., the gel) may be ion conductive, which may enhance the effect of ion motion on the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112.Generally, the film 108 may include or consist of any suitable material that enables the manufacture of the electronic device 100, as will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6. For example, the film 108 may include an electrolyte material that enables the fabrication of the polymer structure 112 by enabling polymerization of a monomer dispersed in the electrolyte by applying an appropriate voltage to the electrodes 104, 106. The film 108 may include, for example, a carbonate-based electrolyte and / or a polymer electrolyte. In a preferred embodiment, the material of the film 108 may be gelled (after the polymeric structure 112 is formed) to obtain a gel.As mentioned above, the film 108 may include moving ions. The ions may be, for example, perchlorate ions or other suitable ions. Here, the material of the film 108 may include lithium perchlorate, tetrabutylammonium perchlorate, or other suitable materials, such as sodium chloride, sodium bromide, potassium chloride, copper(II) chloride, copper sulfate, sodium iodide, etc.Accordingly, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may include any suitable material having the electrical conductivity (and in some aspects also the ionic conductivity). The material of the polymer structure 112 may be selected in combination with the material of the film 108 (e.g., the electrolyte material) to enable the formation of the polymer structure 112. For example, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may include or consist of poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene.According to various aspects, each of the at least two electrodes 104, 106 may be electrically insulated from the film 108 in sections. For example, one or more regions of the respective electrode 104, 106 may be electrically separated from the film 108 by means of an electrically insulating layer 107. The electrically insulating layer 107 can be applied, for example, to the respective region of the electrode 104, 106 which is to be electrically insulated from the film 108. Thus, for example, at least one active portion of the respective electrode 104, 106 may be defined, from which the forming of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 starts or towards which the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may grow.According to a further example, the electronic device 100 may include an encapsulation, e.g. of a molding material, wherein the encapsulation partially or completely encapsulates at least the respective electrodes 104, 106, the substrate 102 a, 102 band the film 108. In some aspects, the encapsulant may include at least one opening to allow the film 108 to receive sound waves.Generally, the polymer structure 112 may have any suitable configuration to provide the electrical and physical connection between the electrodes 104, 106. In a preferred configuration, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may include or consist of a fiber structure 112 a, as shown in FIG. 1C. A fiber structure 112 amay result from the manufacturing process of the component 100 and may have advantageous properties for sound detection. For example, the geometry of the fibrous structure 112 amay vary due to vibrations of the film 108, which may result in a corresponding change in the electrical conductivity of the fibrous structure 112 a. It is understood that the aspects described with respect to FIG. 1C may apply to both the configuration 100 aand the configuration 100 b.The polymeric structure 112 may thus, in some aspects, comprise a fibrous structure 112 awith one or more fibers extending from the first electrode 104 to the second electrode 106. The fibrous structure of the electrically conductive polymer may differ, for example, from a film-like structure in that the fibrous structure has, for example, one or more longitudinal sections which may be surrounded over the full circumference by the material of the film 108. For example, one or more longitudinal sections of the fibrous structure may be completely free of physical contact with the substrate 102 a, 102 b.The fiber structure 112 acan branch at least once or several times. The fiber structure 112 acan illustratively define a linear or net-shaped structure that connects the electrodes 104, 106 to one another. In this regard, the fibrous structure 112a may comprise one or more strands connected to both electrodes 104, 106. The fibrous structure 112a may also include one or more strands (illustratively, one or more branches) coupled to another strand, but not directly to one of the electrodes 104, 106. For example, the fibrous structure 112 amay include one or more branches whose ends are neither coupled to the first electrode nor to the second electrode, but are nevertheless coupled to a main body of the fibrous structure 112 a.Such branches may affect the electrical behavior of the fibrous structure 112 aby acting as local sources of an electric field when an electrical signal is applied to the fibrous structure 112 a(via the electrodes 104, 106). The electrical charge of the junctions may alter the ion distribution in the film 108 in adjacent polymer fibers. As a result, the electrical conductivity in the adjacent polymer fibers can be changed in a nonlinear manner. The arrangement of the branches can be varied by the mechanical vibration of the film 108, whereby its influence on the electrical conductivity of the fiber structure 112 achanges.In this scenario, the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 may thus be or have a polymer fiber (also referred to as a polymeric fiber structure or electrically conductive fiber structure). A fiber structure 112 apreferably has an average diameter in a range from about 1 μm to about 50 μm, for example in a range from about 3 μm to about 10 μm.The physical properties (e.g., electrical conductivity) of the polymeric structure 112 may be defined, for example, by the length and / or thickness of the one or more fibrous structures, the number of fibrous structures, the degree of branching of the one or more fibrous structures, and / or the directionality of the one or more fibrous structures. By the term "directionality" is meant in which direction the one or more fibrous structures extend in the film 108 and whether the one or more fibrous structures are substantially grown from one of the electrodes 104, 106.According to various aspects, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic component 200 may have a controller 220 or the at least two electrodes 104, 106 of the electronic component 200 may be coupled to a controller 220 for providing an electrical signal to the at least two electrodes 104, 106. The electronic component 200 may be configured generally like the electronic component 100. FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which the substrate 102 bhas an opening 110. However, it is understood that the aspects described with respect to FIG. 2 may also apply correspondingly to a configuration in which the substrate 102 ais a continuous substrate. It is also understood that the aspects described with reference to FIG. 2 can correspondingly also apply to a polymer structure 112 configured as a fiber structure.The controller 220 may be configured to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode 104 and the second electrode 106 such that a current flow is caused through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112. Illustratively, the controller 220 may be configured to provide an electrical signal to the electrodes 104, 106 to provide (e.g. generate) a current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112.For example, the electrical signal may generate a potential difference across the polymer structure 112 that causes a current flow through the polymer structure between the electrodes 104, 106. For example, the electrical signal can have a DC voltage.For example, the electrical signal may include a first voltage at the first electrode 104 and a second voltage at the second electrode 106, and the first voltage and the second voltage may be different from each other to cause current flow through the polymeric structure 112.Merely as a numerical example, the controller 220 may be configured to apply a voltage to the first electrode 104 and / or to the second electrode 106 at a voltage value in the range from 50 mV to 500 mV, e.g. in the range from 100 mV to 300 mV, e.g. in the range from 150 mV to 200 mV.The current flow through the polymer structure 112 enables a detection method to be carried out with the component 100. In this regard, the control device 220 can be further configured to measure an electrical parameter which is associated with the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112. In particular, the control device 220 can be configured to measure a change in the current flow over time. As mentioned above, the change in current flow may be associated with mechanical vibration of the film 108. Illustratively, the controller 220 may apply the electrical signal to the electrodes 104, 106 and measure the behavior of the current flow through the polymer structure 112 while the electrical signal remains applied to the electrodes 104, 106.As exemplary electrical parameters, the controller 220 may be configured to measure a current amplitude of the current through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112, an impedance of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 and / or a resistance of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112. The controller 220 may be configured to measure a behavior of such parameters over time.The controller 220 may be further configured to determine one or more properties of a mechanical vibration of the film 108 (e.g., the gel) based on the measured electrical parameter, e.g., based on a change in the measured electrical parameter over time. Accordingly, the controller 220 may be further configured to determine one or more properties of a sound wave associated with the mechanical vibration of the film 108 based on the measured electrical parameter, e.g., based on the change in the measured electrical parameter over time. The acoustic wave may be the cause of the mechanical vibration of the film 108.Illustratively, the control device 220 can be configured such that it derives information from the behavior of the polymer structure 112 which is representative of the mechanical oscillation of the film 108 or of the sound wave associated with the oscillation. The controller 220 may thus determine information about the origin of the mechanical vibration, the information encoded in the mechanical vibration or the sound wave, etc., on the basis of the change in the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112 caused by the mechanical vibration. For example, the determined properties of the mechanical oscillation can have a frequency and / or an amplitude of the mechanical oscillation. In a corresponding manner, the properties of the sound wave determined can have a frequency and / or an amplitude of the sound wave.A particular advantage of the transducer element described here is that the signal analysis can be carried out in the time domain. For example, the control device 220 can be configured in such a way that it determines the properties of the mechanical oscillation or of the sound wave on the basis of the behavior of the measured electrical parameter in the time domain. This can simplify the entire detection process.As an example implementation, the controller 220 may include a transimpedance amplifier, by means of which the current flowing through the polymer structure 112 is displayed on an oscilloscope. When the system is vibrated by sound waves (e.g., infrasonic), local changes in the ion concentration occur which in turn affect the conductivity of the polymer structure 112. Therefore, a frequency dependent change in current through the system occurs which can be measured at the oscilloscope.The controller 220 may be configured to perform the signal analysis in the time domain in any suitable manner. Thus, the control device 220 can have, for example, one or more processors or be coupled to one or more processors which are configured to carry out the signal processing. The signal analysis can comprise, for example, the comparison of the behavior of the measured electrical parameter in the time domain with a predefined behavior of the electrical parameter. The signal analysis can comprise, for example, the search for a match of the temporal pattern of the measured electrical parameter with predefined or previously measured patterns which are assigned to known mechanical oscillations or known sound waves. The comparison can be made, for example, using a database or a look-up table.As further examples, the signal analysis may include any suitable algorithm, model, machine learning model, and the like.According to various aspects, the controller 220 may be configured to perform a classification of the mechanical vibration of the film 108 or of the sound wave based on a behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.The classification may include the identification of a class (e.g. a type) of the mechanical oscillation or of the sound wave. The classification may include, for example, identifying the type of source that caused the mechanical vibration. As another example, the classification may include identifying a type of information transmitted from the mechanical vibration. In particular, the classification may comprise a speech recognition based on the behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.In this regard, FIG. 3A shows an example graph 300 showing the time variation of current flow through the polymer structure 112 with respect to an average value. The time variation of current flow in this example is due to a spoken sequence of numbers (referred to as a network signal), e.g., 2-0-0-1-2-8. As can be seen from the diagram, the current flow for each of the spoken numbers has a different behavior, e.g., with respect to the peak shape, peak amplitude, etc. Thus, by determining the behavior of the current flow through the polymer structure 112, it is possible to derive the tone that caused the change and to associate the change with the corresponding information (e.g., a letter, a number, etc.).It is understood that the control device 220 can additionally or alternatively be configured for the purpose of carrying out a signal analysis in the frequency domain. Thus, in some aspects, the controller 220 may be configured to convert a signal representative of the electrical parameter from a time domain to a frequency domain to obtain a frequency spectrum.For example, the controller 220 may perform a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the signal to obtain the frequency spectrum.The control device 220 can determine one or more properties of the mechanical oscillation or of the sound wave on the basis of the frequency spectrum obtained. For example, the controller 220 may determine one or more excitation frequencies of the mechanical vibration of the film 108 based on the frequency spectrum. The control device 220 can furthermore be configured in such a way that it carries out a classification of the mechanical oscillation or of the sound wave, for example a speech recognition, based on the frequency spectrum obtained.In this regard, FIG. 3B shows an example diagram 310 showing a frequency spectrum associated with the sound sequence of FIG. 3A. It may also be possible to reconstruct the information contained in the oscillation (e.g. the information contained in the sound waves that have caused the oscillation) from the frequency spectrum.It is understood that the controller 220 may be configured to perform any pre-processing prior to the analysis of the signal (in the time domain and / or in the frequency domain). For example, the controller 220 may perform filtering of the signal, e.g. time domain filtering or frequency spectrum filtering in the frequency domain, e.g. to reduce or eliminate noise in the signal. In the frequency domain filtering, the filtering may include, for example, a low pass filter that may facilitate identification of infrasonic sound.According to various aspects, as shown in FIG. 4, the electronic component 400 may include a third electrode 402 for influencing the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 by means of an electric field. The electronic component 400 can be configured generally like the electronic component 100, 200. FIG. 4 shows a configuration in which the substrate 102 bhas an opening 110. However, it is understood that the aspects described with respect to FIG. 4 may also apply correspondingly to a configuration in which the substrate 102 ais a continuous substrate. It is also understood that the aspects described with reference to FIG. 4 can correspondingly also apply to a polymer structure 112 configured as a fiber structure.This third electrode 402 can be used as a gate structure or gate electrode for influencing the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112. The third electrode 402 may also be used during manufacturing to affect the growth of the polymer structure 112, e.g., to affect its physical properties.Generally, the third electrode 402 may be arranged adjacent to the at least two electrodes 104, 106, for example at a distance from the at least two electrodes 104, 106, e.g. at a distance of 100 μm to 500 μm. The third electrode 402 may therefore not be connected to the first electrode 104 or the second electrode 106, and may also not be physically connected to the polymer structure 112.In some aspects, to enhance the influence of the field generated by the third electrode 402, the third electrode 402 may be at least partially disposed in the film 108, e.g., the third electrode 402 may be at least partially immersed in the film 108. For example, the third electrode 402 may be configured as a third wire, and the tip of the wire may be immersed in the film 108.In some aspects, the third electrode 402 may be at least partially coated with the same electrically conductive (and ion conductive) material of the polymer structure 112. For example, the portion of the third electrode 402 disposed or immersed in the film 108 may be coated with such a material, e.g., the tip of the wire may be coated with such a material. This may result from the manufacturing process and may further enhance the energy transfer from the electrode 402 to the polymer structure 112. It should be appreciated that even in this case, the third electrode 402 still remains separated from the polymeric structure 112 (e.g., the fibrous structure).The control device 220 of the electronic component 400 can be configured, for example, to provide an electrical voltage at the third electrode 402 in such a way that the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112 can be changed by means of the electrical voltage. Illustratively, the signal applied to the third electrode 402 may provide an electric field affecting the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112.In particular, the controller 220 may use the third electrode to influence the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112 during a measurement performed with the electronic component 400 (e.g. a sound detection). The reaction of the polymer structure 112 can be varied by the influence by means of the third electrode 402, such that it can be selected whether the variation of the current flow through the polymer structure 112 has a linear behavior or a nonlinear behavior. Illustratively, the controller 220 may be configured to provide the electrical signal to the first electrode 104 and the second electrode 106 to generate the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 and to provide an additional electrical signal to the third electrode 402 to influence the electrical conductivity of the polymer structure 112 while current is flowing through the polymer structure 112.For example, the controller 220 may apply the electrical signal to the third electrode 402 to cause the polymeric structure 112 to respond to the mechanical vibration of the film 108 either linearly or non-linearly. Using the gate electrode allows to do the system's response type (linear or nonlinear) and thus allows for more multi-layered applications, e.g. in the field of reservoir computing. Illustratively, it is now possible to control, by means of the gate voltage, at which point of the transfer curve one is located and thus whether the current which flows through the polymer structure 112 has a linear or non-linear response.Thus, according to various aspects, the controller 220 may be further configured to provide a first electrical signal or a second electrical signal to the third electrode 402 during a measurement of the electrical parameter (e.g. during sound detection).The first electrical signal (e.g. a first voltage, such as a first DC voltage) may be configured to cause the third electrode 402 to first influence the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 such that the polymer structure 112 has a linear response (a linear variation) to the mechanical vibration. Illustratively, the first electrical signal may generate a first electric field such that the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 between the electrodes has a linear response or response to the vibration of the film 108.Similarly, the second electrical signal (e.g. a second voltage, such as a second DC voltage) may be configured to cause a second influence on the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 by the third electrode 402, such that the polymer structure 112 has a non-linear response (non-linear variation) to the mechanical vibration. Illustratively, the second electrical signal may generate a second electrical field such that the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure 112 between the electrodes has a non-linear response or response to the vibration of the film 108.In this regard, FIGS. 5A and 5B show different response types at different gate voltages in sound excitation with a frequency of 1 Hz. The Fourier spectrum in the diagram 510, which was recorded at a gate voltage of 0.3 V (instead of 0 V), shows a distinct main peak and thus a more linear response to the acoustic signal. The Fourier spectrum in the diagram 500 shows significantly higher modes and thus a non-linear response.For example, the controller 220 may perform a measurement exclusively with the first signal applied to the third electrode 402, thereby causing a linear reaction of the polymer structure 112 throughout the measurement. As another example, the controller 220 may perform a measurement exclusively on the second signal applied to the third electrode 402, thereby causing a non-linear response of the polymer structure 112 throughout the measurement. As another example, the controller 220 may perform a measurement with the first signal applied to the third electrode 402 during a first time period and with the second signal applied to the third electrode 402 during a second time period, thereby causing a mixed response of the polymer structure 112.FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 600 for producing an electronic component (e.g. the component 100, 200, 400), according to various aspects. It is understood that the aspects described in connection with the electronic components 100, 200, 400 can also apply in a corresponding manner to the method 600 and vice versa.In general, the method may include, in 610, providing an electrolyte material (e.g. an electrolyte solution) at least in a spatial region between at least two electrodes. The two electrodes may be at least partially disposed (e.g., immersed) in the electrolyte material (e.g., the tip of the electrodes may be disposed in the electrolyte material). The electrolyte material may include at least one polymerizable material. The polymerizable material can be a monomer of an intrinsically electrically conductive polymer. The monomer can comprise or be, for example, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene. The intrinsically conductive polymer can in this case comprise or be poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).The electrodes may be disposed on a substrate, and the substrate may have at least one opening. By way of example, the substrate can be a frame structure having at least one opening. In this configuration, the electrodes may extend at least partially across the opening.According to various aspects, providing the electrolyte may include providing an electrolyte solution including the polymerizable material, a solvent, and an initiator (e.g., a photoinitiator). The solvent may be sulfolane, for example. As another example, the initiator may be 2-hydroxy-4'-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone. The solvent and the initiator may allow gelation of the electrolyte solution after polymerization of the polymerizable material is performed.According to various aspects, the electrolyte solution may further comprise a salt (e.g. tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate). The electrolyte solution may for example contain salt with a concentration in the range of 0.5 mM to 5 mM, for example in the range of 1 mM to 2 mM.The salt may ensure that the solvent remains liquid at room temperature during the formation of the electrically conductive polymer structure.The method may further include, in 620, forming at least one electrically conductive polymer structure between the at least two electrodes by polymerizing the at least one polymerizable material into an electrically conductive polymer. The polymeric structure may be disposed over the opening.The formation of the electrically conductive polymer structure can be effected, for example, by applying an electrical signal (e.g. a voltage) to the electrodes. The electrical signal can control the electric field and / or the salt distribution in the electrolyte material, and thus the directionality of the polymerization. The electrical signal can clearly cause or trigger a growth of the polymer structure (e.g. a growth of the fiber structure) on the basis of the polymerizable material (e.g. a monomer).The electrical signal can have, for example, an electrical voltage that varies with time, for example an alternating voltage, a pulsed direct voltage, and / or a pulsed bipolar voltage. For example, the electrical signal may include an alternating current (AC) signal, e.g., in a range from about 1 V to about 6 V.For example, polymer fiber growth may occur after applying an alternating voltage to the two electrodes (e.g., gold electrodes) immersed in the solution. EDOT then forms radicals which are neutralized by an anion of the salt and form longer structures with other radicals until they are too heavy to be soluble and therefore settle at the polymerization site. This occurs anisotropically depending on the strength of the electric field. Polymer is grown onto the third electrode (illustratively, the gate electrode) by means of a DC voltage in an isotropic process.According to various aspects, the reaction of polymerizing may be triggered, for example, by oxidizing the monomer, forming doped PF 6- stabilized oligomers, which in turn may react with already formed PEDOT fibers. The presence of the electrolyte material and the local, e.g. positive, voltage, which is greater than the oxidation potential of the monomer, may be helpful to realize the electrochemical reaction.For example, the electrolyte solution may contain:• Acetonitriles (MeCN),• 1 mM sodium tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF6), and• 50 mM 3.4 ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT).The polymerization can lead, for example, to the formation of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) fibers which are doped with hexafluorophosphate PF 6-.As a further example, a free-standing liquid film consisting of sulfolane with addition of 1 mM tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TABF6) and 50 mM 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) can be produced. The fibers are grown by electropolymerization. Optionally, a gate electrode can also be grown by means of electropolymerization. The negatively charged PF 6- ions are incorporated into the structure and dope the fibers. This results in a so-called "Organic Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductor" (OMIEC). By applying a gate voltage, the fiber network can be dedoped again by means of the positively charged TBA ions. The system may thus act as an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT).In some aspects, the method 600 may further include, in 630, causing (or triggering) a gelling of the electrolyte material in order to obtain a gel in which the electrically conductive polymer structure is embedded and in which the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged.Illustratively, the method 600 may include converting the electrolyte from a liquid to a gel. Gelation can be accomplished by any suitable mechanism. For example, gelling may include incorporating a cross-linker and an initiator into the electrolyte (e.g., the liquid film) and irradiating the electrolyte (e.g., by UV radiation). As further examples, gelation may include polymerization of the electrolyte. As further examples, gelation may include chemical gel generation, cryo-gel generation, etc. The liquid can thus cure and assume a gel-like structure. Gelation can increase the stability of the structure.As an example, for the preparation of a polymer structure embedded in a gel, a solution based on 1 ml of sulfolane as solvent can be used. To this is added 500 mg to 750 mg of the monomer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 100 mg to 200 mg of the photoinitiator 2-hydroxy-4'-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone as the basis of the viscoelastic gel. Furthermore, for the growth of the polymer fibers, a concentration of 50 mM to 150 mM (5.3 μL to 15.9 μL) of the monomer 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and 1 mM to 2 mM (0.387 mg to 0.774 mg) of the salt tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF6) is added. It should be noted that sulfolane is solid at room temperature (melting point: 27.5° C.), but remains liquid after being briefly heated and the salt added.To produce the viscoelastic gel final, the solution is irradiated with a 15W UV lamp for 5 to 10 minutes. During this process, the photoinitiator generates a reactive species which in turn causes polymerization of the monomer NIPAM, thus forming a solid electrolyte.The electronic component described herein thus enables achievement of comparable characteristics (sensitivity, bandwidth and energy consumption) as in existing approaches with the advantages of simple integration and controllable response.Some examples relating to that described herein and illustrated in the figures will be described below.Example 1 is an electronic component, comprising: a frame having at least one opening; a gel arranged on the frame in such a way that it at least partially covers the at least one opening, a first electrode and a second electrode arranged at least partially in the gel; an electrically conductive polymer structure arranged in the gel and configured in such a way that the electrically conductive polymer structure electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode to one another.In Example 2, the electronic component according to Example 1 can optionally further comprise that the electrically conductive polymer structure is configured such that a mechanical oscillation of the gel causes a change in the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure.In Example 3, the electronic component according to Example 1 or 2 can optionally further comprise that the electrically conductive polymer structure comprises a polymer material which is electrically conductive and ion-conducting, that the gel comprises ions which can move within the gel and the electrically conductive polymer structure, and that the electrically conductive polymer structure is configured such that a concentration of ions in the electrically conductive polymer structure influences the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure.In Example 4, the electronic component according to Example 3 can optionally further comprise that the electrically conductive polymer structure is configured such that a mechanical oscillation of the gel causes a change in the concentration of ions in the electrically conductive polymer structure and in the gel.In Example 5, the electronic component according to any of Examples 1 to 4 can optionally further comprise that the electrically conductive polymer structure has a fiber structure.In Example 6, the electronic component according to Example 5 can optionally further have the fiber structure being configured in the form of a net and having at least one branch whose end is neither connected to the first electrode nor to the second electrode.In Example 7, the electronic component according to one of Examples 1 to 6 can optionally further comprise: a control device configured to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode and the second electrode such that a current flow is caused through the electrically conductive polymer structure, wherein the control device is further configured to measure an electrical parameter which is associated with the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure.In Example 8, the electronic component according to Example 7 can optionally further comprise the control device being further configured to determine one or more properties of a mechanical oscillation of the gel based on the measured electrical parameter. For example, the control device can determine a frequency and / or an amplitude of the mechanical oscillation on the basis of the measured electrical parameter.In example 9, the electronic component according to example 7 or 8 can optionally further include that the electrical parameter includes a current amplitude of the current through the electrically conductive polymer structure, an impedance of the electrically conductive polymer structure and / or a resistance of the electrically conductive polymer structure.In Example 10, the electronic component according to one of Examples 7 to 9 can optionally further comprise that the electrical signal comprises a DC voltage.In Example 11, the electronic component according to one of Examples 7 to 10 can optionally further comprise the control device being further configured to carry out a classification of the oscillation of the gel based on a behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.In example 12, the electronic component according to example 11 can optionally further comprise that the classification comprises an assignment of the oscillation to a source of the oscillation, and / or that the classification comprises an identification of one or more properties of the oscillation based on the behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.In Example 13, the electronic device according to Example 11 or 12 can optionally further include that the classification includes a speech recognition based on the behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.In Example 14, the electronic component according to any of Examples 7 to 13 can optionally further comprise that the control device is further configured to: convert a signal representative of the electrical parameter from a time range into a frequency range in order to obtain a frequency spectrum, and identify one or more excitation frequencies of a vibration of the gel based on the frequency spectrum.In Example 15, the electronic component according to Example 14 can optionally further comprise the control device being further configured to perform filtering in the frequency range of the frequency spectrum before identifying the one or more excitation frequencies. For example, the filtering may comprise a low pass filter.In Example 16, the electronic component according to one of Examples 1 to 15 can optionally further comprise: a third electrode for influencing the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure by means of an electric field.In Example 17, the electronic component according to Example 16 can optionally further comprise that the third electrode is coated at least partially with the same material of the electrically conductive polymer structure.In Example 18, the electronic component according to one of Examples 7 to 17 can optionally further comprise the control device being configured further for providing a first electrical signal or a second electrical signal to the third electrode during a measurement of the electrical parameter, the first electrical signal causing a first influence on the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure by the third electrode, such that a current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure between the first electrode and the second electrode has a linear reaction to a vibration of the gel, and the second electrical signal causing a second influence on the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure by the third electrode, such that the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure between the first electrode and the second electrode has a non-linear reaction to the vibration of the gel.In Example 19, the electronic component according to any of Examples 1 to 18 can optionally further comprise that the first electrode is configured as a first wire and at least one tip of the first wire is arranged in the gel; and / or that the second electrode is configured as a second wire and at least one tip of the second wire is arranged in the gel.In Example 20, the electronic component according to any of Examples 1 to 19 can optionally further comprise the first electrode and the second electrode extending at least partially over the at least one opening.In Example 21, the electronic component of any one of Examples 1 to 20 can optionally further include that the at least one opening has a tapered wall extending through a thickness of the frame.In Example 22, the electronic component according to any of Examples 1 to 21 can optionally further comprise that the electrically conductive polymer structure comprises or consists of poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophenes.In Example 23, the electronic component according to any of Examples 1 to 22 can optionally further comprise that the gel is ion-conducting.Example 24 is the electronic component according to one of Examples 1 to 23 configured as an infrasonic detector.Example 25 is an electronic component, comprising: a substrate; a gel arranged on the substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode arranged at least partially in the gel; and an electrically conductive polymer structure arranged in the gel and configured such that the electrically conductive polymer structure electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode to one another.In Example 26, the electronic component according to Example 25 can optionally have one or more features according to one of Examples 1 to 23.Example 27 is an electronic component, comprising: a frame having at least one opening; a film (e.g. a free-standing film, e.g. an ion-conducting film) arranged on the frame such that it at least partially covers the at least one opening, a first electrode and a second electrode arranged at least partially in the film; an electrically conductive polymer structure arranged in the film and configured such that the electrically conductive polymer structure electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode to one another.In Example 28, the electronic component according to Example 27 can optionally have one or more features according to one of Examples 1 to 23.Example 29 is the use of an electrically conductive polymer structure embedded in a gel as a transducer element for sound detection (e.g. for detecting infrasonic). In particular, the use of an electrically conductive and ion-conducting polymer structure embedded in an ion-containing gel as a transducer element for sound detection (e.g. for detecting infrasonic).In Example 30, the subject matter of Example 29 can optionally include one or more features of any one of Examples 1 to 23.Example 31 is provided for a method for producing an electronic component, wherein the method comprises: providing an electrolyte material at least in a spatial region between at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are arranged at least partially in the electrolyte material, and wherein the electrolyte material comprises at least one polymerizable material. The electrodes may be disposed on a substrate, and the substrate may have at least one opening. The method may further comprise: forming at least one electrically conductive polymer structure between the at least two electrodes by polymerizing the at least one polymerizable material. In some aspects, the method may further include causing (or triggering) a gelling of the electrolyte material to obtain a gel in which the electrically conductive polymer structure is embedded and in which the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged.In Example 32, the subject matter of Example 31 can optionally include one or more features of any one of Examples 1 to 23.The foregoing description has been given by way of example only, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are, therefore, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.The project which led to this application was financialized with means from the European Union Research and Innovation Program Horizon 2020 under Financial Aid Agreement No. 899205.

Claims

An electronic component (100) comprising: a frame (102b) having at least one opening (110); a gel (108) arranged on the frame (102b) such that it at least partially covers the at least one opening (110), a first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106) arranged at least partially in the gel (108); an electrically conductive polymer structure (112) embedded in the gel (108) and configured such that the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) electrically connects the first electrode (104) and the second electrode (106) to one another.Electronic component (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) is configured such that a mechanical oscillation of the gel (108) causes a change in the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure (112).Electronic component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) comprises a polymer material which is electrically conductive and ion-conducting, wherein the gel (108) comprises ions which can move within the gel (108) and the electrically conductive polymer structure (112), and wherein the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) is configured such that a concentration of ions in the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) influences the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure.Electronic component (100) according to claim 3, wherein the gel (108) and the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) are configured such that a mechanical oscillation of the gel (108) causes local changes in the concentration of ions in the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) and in the gel (108).Electronic component (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) has a fibre structure.Electronic component (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a control device (220) configured to provide an electrical signal to the first electrode (104) and the second electrode (106) such that a current flow is caused through the electrically conductive polymer structure (112), and wherein the control device (220) is further configured to measure an electrical parameter associated with the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure (112).Electronic component (100, 200) according to claim 6, wherein the control device (220) is further configured to determine one or more properties of a mechanical vibration of the gel (108) based on the measured electrical parameter.Electronic component (100, 200) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the electrical parameter comprises a current amplitude of the current through the electrically conductive polymer structure (112), an impedance of the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) and / or a resistance of the electrically conductive polymer structure (112).Electronic component (100, 200) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the control device (200) is further configured to perform a classification of the mechanical oscillation of the gel (108) based on a behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.Electronic component (100, 200) according to claim 9, wherein the classification comprises an assignment of the mechanical oscillation to a source of the mechanical oscillation, and / or wherein the classification comprises an identification of one or more properties of the mechanical oscillation based on the behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.Electronic component (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the classification comprises a speech recognition based on the behavior in the time domain of the measured electrical parameter.Electronic component (100, 400) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, further comprising: a third electrode (402) for influencing the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) by means of an electric field.Electronic component (100, 400) according to one of claims 6 to 11 and according to claim 12, wherein the control device (220) is further configured to provide a first electrical signal or a second electrical signal to the third electrode (402) during a measurement of the electrical parameter, wherein the first electrical signal causes a first influence on the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) by the third electrode (402), such that a current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) between the first electrode (104) and the second electrode (106) has a linear reaction to a mechanical oscillation of the gel (108), and wherein the second electrical signal causes a second influence on the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) by the third electrode (402), such that the current flow through the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) between the first electrode (104) and the second electrode (106) has a non-linear response to the mechanical vibration of the gel (108).The electronic device (100) of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first electrode (104) is configured as a first wire and at least one tip of the first wire is disposed in the gel (108); and / or wherein the second electrode (106) is configured as a second wire and at least one tip of the second wire is disposed in the gel (108).The electronic device (100) of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first electrode (104) and the second electrode (106) extend at least partially across the at least one opening (110).The electronic component (100) of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one opening (110) has a tapered wall extending through a thickness of the frame (102b).Electronic component (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the electrically conductive polymer structure (112) comprises or consists of poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophenes.Electronic component (100, 200, 400) according to one of Claims 1 to 17 configured as an infrasonic sensor.A method (600) for manufacturing an electronic device, the method comprising: providing (610) an electrolyte material at least in a spatial area between at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged in the electrolyte material, wherein the electrolyte material comprises at least one polymerizable material, wherein the at least two electrodes are arranged on a frame comprising at least one opening; forming (620) an electrically conductive polymer structure between the at least two electrodes by polymerizing the at least one polymerizable material; and causing (630) gelation of the electrolyte material to obtain a gel in which the electrically conductive polymer structure is embedded and in which the at least two electrodes are at least partially arranged.Use of an electrically conductive and ion-conducting polymer structure embedded in an ion-containing gel as a transducer element for sound detection.

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