Creating Custom Notes From 3D Designs

Nov-03-15 A new technology that allows engineers to create an object that makes a specific sound could lead to quieter bridges and computer fans.

Developed in collaboration by teams from Harvard, MIT and Columbia, the technology has first manifested as a “zoolophone” that uses differently shaped keys to make specific sounds. Part of the metallophone family, the zoolophone’s sounds are created by the vibrations within the instrument, instead of through strings or reeds.

To create the zoolophone, the team developed an algorithm that allows users to indicate the material, shape and note they wish to achieve. That software then determines what sorts of subtle deformations need to be applied to the shape to render the desired note without affecting the basic shape. Besides creating an interesting toy, the technology could be applied to other designs to create quieter structures (such as fans and bridges) that still retain their basic form

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[ENGINEERING.COLUMBIA.EDU]

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