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Towards molecular musical instruments: Interactive sonifications of 17-alanine, graphene and carbon nanotubes

Mitchell, Thomas J.; Jones, Alex J.; O�Connor, Michael B.; Wonnacott, Mark D.; Glowacki, David R.; Hyde, Joseph

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Authors

Tom Mitchell Tom.Mitchell@uwe.ac.uk
Professor of Audio and Music Interaction

Alex J. Jones

Michael B. O�Connor

Mark D. Wonnacott

David R. Glowacki

Joseph Hyde



Abstract

Scientists increasingly rely on computational models of atoms and molecules to observe, understand and make predictions about the microscopic world. Atoms and molecules are in constant motion, with vibrations and structural fluctuations occurring at very short time-scales and corresponding length-scales. But can these microscopic oscillations be converted into sound? And, what would they sound like? In this paper we present our initial steps towards a generalised approach for sonifying data produced by a real-time molecular dynamics simulation. The approach uses scanned synthesis to translate real-time geometric simulation data into audio. The process is embedded within a stand alone application as well as a variety of audio plugin formats to enable the process to be used as an audio synthesis method for music making. We review the relevant background literature before providing an overview of our system. Simulations of three molecules are then considered: 17-alanine, graphene and a carbon nanotube. Four examples are then provided demonstrating how the technique maps molecular features and parameters onto the auditory character of the resulting sound. A case study is then provided in which the sonification/synthesis method is used within a musical composition.

Citation

Mitchell, T. J., Jones, A. J., O’Connor, M. B., Wonnacott, M. D., Glowacki, D. R., & Hyde, J. (2020). Towards molecular musical instruments: Interactive sonifications of 17-alanine, graphene and carbon nanotubes. In AM '20: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Audio Mostly (214-221). https://doi.org/10.1145/3411109.3411143

Conference Name AM '20: 15th International Conference on Audio Mostly
Conference Location Graz, Austria
Start Date Sep 15, 2020
End Date Sep 17, 2020
Acceptance Date Jul 3, 2020
Publication Date Sep 15, 2020
Deposit Date Sep 8, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Pages 214-221
Series Title ACM International Audio Mostly Conference (AM’20) Proceeding Series
Book Title AM '20: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Audio Mostly
ISBN 9781450375634
DOI https://doi.org/10.1145/3411109.3411143
Keywords virtual reality, augmented reality, sonification, game audio, spa-tial audio, sonic interaction design, musicology, sound art
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6666451
Publisher URL https://audiomostly.com/2020/

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