TEKNIK ELEKTRONIKA

Researchers and students at the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology of the University of Twente (Netherlands) have built the first musical instrument with dimensions measured in micrometres – a ‘micronium’ – that produces audible tones. Previous musical instruments with these tiny dimensions could only produce tones outside the range of human hearing.

A mass of a few dozen micrograms is suspended from each spring.

This tiny motion is measured by precision sensors to generate tones. Each spring/mass system produces its own tone, and a single microchip can hold six of these tone generators. It was performed by an ensemble of conservatorium students, who also performed with conventional musical instruments.

Image: University of Twente