Innovative approaches to the fabrication of soft nano‑engineered musical instruments: Bridging material science, acoustics, and creative technologies

Xiaoguang Zhou , Chengrui Wu , Mostafa Habibi

Abstract

The integration of acoustics, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry has led to new ways to produce multifunctional/ intelligent systems over the past decade. In this research project, a new type of nanocomposite based on Titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) (MXene) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was created and analyzed for acoustic purposes and as a smart musical instrument. MXene nanosheets were produced by a mild etch process (MILD) and mixed with a polymeric PDMS matrix via a solution-mix method. The results showed that adding MXene significantly increased the nanocomposite's mechanical, electrical, and acoustic performance. The Young's modulus values for PDMS alone and for PDMS with 5 wt% MXene were 1.2 MPa and 5.2 MPa, respectively. The electrical conductivity increased from approximately 10-12 S/m to 55 S/m. At a frequency of 1000 Hz, the sound absorption coefficient of the nanocomposite increased from 0.18 to 0.72, and the resonance frequency decreased from 820 Hz to 640 Hz, indicating increased internal damping. For a practical application, the nanocomposite membrane sample increased sound intensity levels from 62 dB to 79 dB and significantly broadened the device's frequency response. Clearly, the developed material functions as both a passive mechanical structure and a tunable active acoustic medium. Finally, this study provides a material-based approach for the design of smart musical instruments, in which the nanoscale structure of the material plays a decisive role in controlling and producing sound.

Key Words

composite structures; material sciences; musical instruments; acoustics; nanostructured; nano-engineered materials; soft materials

Address

Xiaoguang Zhou — Music School, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, Hubei, China
Chengrui Wu — Music Education, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, 48 Moyka River Embankment, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation
Mostafa Habibi — Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Haliç University, Istanbul, Turkey/ Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

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