Strings a fraction of the thickness of a human hair, with microscopic weights to pluck them: researchers and students from the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology of the University of Twente have succeeded in constructing the first musical instrument with dimensions measured in mere micrometres - a 'micronium' - that produces audible tones. A composition specially written for the instrument will be performed in Enschede on Sunday 26 September.
Earlier musical instruments with these minimal dimensions only produced tones that are inaudible to humans. But thanks to ingenious construction techniques, students from the University of Twente have succeeded in producing scales that are audible when amplified. To do so, they made use of the possibilities offered by micromechanics: the construction of moving structures with dimensions measured in micrometres (a micrometre is a thousandth of a millimetre). These miniscule devices can be built thanks to the ultra-clean conditions in a 'clean room', and the advanced etching techniques that are possible there. "You can see comparable technology used in the Wii games computer for detecting movement, or in sensors for airbags", says PhD student Johan Engelen, who devised and led the student project.
Tuning
The tiny musical instrument is made up of springs that are only a tenth of the thickness of a human hair, and vary in length from a half to a whole millimetre. A mass of a few dozen micrograms is hung from these springs.
The mass is set in motion by so-called 'comb drives': miniature combs that fit together precisely and shift in relation to each other, so 'plucking' the springs and creating sounds. The mass vibrates with a maximum deflection of just a few micrometres. This minimal movement can be accurately measured, and produces a tone. Each tone has its own mass spring system, and six tones fit on a microchip. By combining a number of chips, a wider range of tones can be achieved. "The tuning process turned out to be the greatest challenge", says Engelen. "We can learn a lot from this project for the construction of other moving structures. Above all, this is a great project for introducing students to micromechanics and clean room techniques."
Concert
The micronium will play a leading role at the opening of a two-day scientific conference on micromechanics in the Atak music venue in Enschede on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 September. A composition has been specially written for the instrument: 'Impromptu No. 1 for Micronium' by Arvid Jense, who is studying MediaMusic at the conservatorium in Enschede. The work will be performed by an ensemble of conservatorium students, who will also be playing conventional musical instruments. The performance will take place on 26 September at Atak in Enschede.
A scientific paper - 'A musical instrument in MEMS' - has also been devoted to the instrument, and this will be presented to the conference by Johan Engelen. The project was carried out by the Transducers Science and Technology group led by Professor Miko Elwenspoek. The group forms a part of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology of the University of Twente.
Note for the press:
The performance of the composition 'Impromptu No. 1 for Micronium' will be held on 26 September at the Atak music venue in Enschede at 8 PM. The press are welcome following registration. Higher resolution versions of the images in this press release are available on request, as is the scientific paper on the musical instrument.
Contact person for the press: Wiebe van der Veen, tel. (053) 4894244, mobile 0612185692, email w.r.vanderveen@utwente.nl
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哦耶，多麼的令人驚奇，用製程做出製動器(小提琴)，並發出聲音。
熱情奔放，創意無限。原出處有介紹影片，可以聽聽看
Making music on a microscopic scale from University of Twente on Vimeo.
[VIA UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE]
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