C haptEr 9 design Environments and systems
378
musician, differences in not only musical output but musical feel
can be quite noticeable.
Though hardly a well-explored area, it does appear that the selective
use of nanomaterials could have an impact here. The whole makeup
of a stringed instrument is a careful balance of many factors. It is
well known that the natural frequency of vibration of a common
string is a function of its length, its linear mass (a function of material density and cross-section), and the tension within it. In many
instruments, the highest strings must be in extreme tension and can
be near breaking points. In the nanocomposites area, well-founded
optimism and positive experimental results indicate that significant strength increases will be possible compared to traditional
materials. If used in strings, both the maximum tension that can
be developed in a string as well as its linear mass can be affected.
General research has indicated that desirable string materials need
to have high ratios of tension strength to density, and high ratios
can certainly be expected with the use of nanocomposites. Obviously, there could consequently be different sound qualities possible, in much the same way that differences were immediately
evident when steel replaced gut for use in strings many years ago.
As the effect of the tension level is traced through, the tension force
in a string can be seen to exert a force on the neck and body that in
turn has long influenced the structural design of these components
and consequently their sound response characteristics. For sound
boxes, the frequencies of the eigenmodes of the vibration of a plate
that might be part of a sound box require a consideration of geometrical dimensions of a plate, its density and the elastic modulus,
and a consideration of support conditions. Use of stronger nanocomposites in boxes could lead to varying thicknesses and hence
different sound radiation qualities. Nanocomposites might thus
be another tool in trying to either find better composite material
replacements for existing natural materials in conventional instruments, or, more interestingly, quite different sound qualities and
ranges might be obtainable.
other applications
The science and application of acoustics and sound phenomena
are highly sophisticated, and there are many other sound-related
applications in specialized areas that we have not even touched
on in this brief treatment. These applications range from all sorts
of sound-based sensory or detection systems through the use of
sound as an energy source for many medical and industrial applica-
378
musician, differences in not only musical output but musical feel
can be quite noticeable.
Though hardly a well-explored area, it does appear that the selective
use of nanomaterials could have an impact here. The whole makeup
of a stringed instrument is a careful balance of many factors. It is
well known that the natural frequency of vibration of a common
string is a function of its length, its linear mass (a function of material density and cross-section), and the tension within it. In many
instruments, the highest strings must be in extreme tension and can
be near breaking points. In the nanocomposites area, well-founded
optimism and positive experimental results indicate that significant strength increases will be possible compared to traditional
materials. If used in strings, both the maximum tension that can
be developed in a string as well as its linear mass can be affected.
General research has indicated that desirable string materials need
to have high ratios of tension strength to density, and high ratios
can certainly be expected with the use of nanocomposites. Obviously, there could consequently be different sound qualities possible, in much the same way that differences were immediately
evident when steel replaced gut for use in strings many years ago.
As the effect of the tension level is traced through, the tension force
in a string can be seen to exert a force on the neck and body that in
turn has long influenced the structural design of these components
and consequently their sound response characteristics. For sound
boxes, the frequencies of the eigenmodes of the vibration of a plate
that might be part of a sound box require a consideration of geometrical dimensions of a plate, its density and the elastic modulus,
and a consideration of support conditions. Use of stronger nanocomposites in boxes could lead to varying thicknesses and hence
different sound radiation qualities. Nanocomposites might thus
be another tool in trying to either find better composite material
replacements for existing natural materials in conventional instruments, or, more interestingly, quite different sound qualities and
ranges might be obtainable.
other applications
The science and application of acoustics and sound phenomena
are highly sophisticated, and there are many other sound-related
applications in specialized areas that we have not even touched
on in this brief treatment. These applications range from all sorts
of sound-based sensory or detection systems through the use of
sound as an energy source for many medical and industrial applica-