FeONIC

Feonic is a commercial company specialising in the design and development of magnetostrictive audio products as a spin-off from Hull University.

Feonic Technology Ltd
IndustryConsumer electronics
Founded1999
HeadquartersHull, England
Key people
Brian Smith (CEO)
ProductsHi-Fi Public Address Home cinema Loudspeakers
Websitewww.feonic.com

Products

The products use a smart material that changes shape in a magnetic field. This material was developed for sonar devices by the US Navy but is now commercially available.[1][2] The products developed by Feonic use the force created by the change in shape of this smart material to vibrate structures such as floors, windows, walls, and the acoustically conductive structures of ships to produce sound.

The company's first consumer product, the SoundBug, led to the successful roll out of the Whispering Window,[3][4] enabling shop windows to produce sound.[5]

The company has developed a new range of “F Drives” to create flat panel speakers with various applications in the transport, pro-audio, domestic, consumer and commercial markets.[6]

The company markets their products for use in a wide range of environments including train stations, shops, homes, and on boats. Advantages over standalone speakers are described as the systems efficiency, ability to be tightly integrated into structures and products, resistance to damage, and clarity.[7]

History

The timeline below summarises how Feonic has developed:[8]

1999 Newlands Scientific plc was incorporated to provide research, development and consultancy services in magnetostrictive devices and exploit the possibilities of Terfenol-D.

2000 Brian Smith was appointed as Managing Director and the product development process began.

2002 Soundbug launched at CeBit (the world’s largest technology trade show) and Feonic technology trademarked.

2003 Newlands Scientific develops Whispering Window and launches Presenter. Soundbug wins Red Dot design award.

2004 Newlands Scientific becomes Feonic plc and wins UK electronics industry design award for best use of technology.

2008 New generation F-Drive products are launched and Feonic Transport formed as a joint venture.

2009 Feonic South East Asia formed as a distributor; a deal has been agreed with Techtonic for Core Vista panels and product certification received from Network Rail.

2012 Philip Jarvis appointed as Group CEO.

References
  1. Foley, Alexandra (14 May 2014). "Magnetostrictive materials optimised by multi-physics simulation". New Materials International.
  2. Webster, J, ed. (2016). "Magnetostrictive Devices". Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (PDF). John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/047134608X.W4549.pub2.
  3. Architects' Journal - Smart Glass
  4. Bhatnagar, Parija (25 June 2004). "Are you ready for a sci fi shopping experience?". CNN Money. (a similar product from the US manufacturer of the material)
  5. Basnicki, Erica (13 September 2012). "FeONIC's 'Whispering Windows' amplify Delilah's Topshop gig". PSNEurope.
  6. Murphy, Lizzie (25 March 2008). "Success Drive as FeONIC shouts about revolutionary audio system". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008.
  8. "Design Council - From University Research to Commercial Success". Archived from the original on 2010-12-24. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
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