Analiza calitativa, dinamică și acustică a sistemelor anizotrope cu interfețe modificate - ACADIA

The project "Complex anisotropic systems with bio-interfaces in the Carpathian-Danubian-Pontic area, with applications to musical instruments" aims the exploration of mechanical, dynamic and acoustic properties of wood in the construction of stringed musical instruments, both anisotropic systems with structures and different interfaces due to the texture and design of the wood, as well as multibody systems whose complex geometry give the musical instrument its special acoustic qualities.

The novelty of the project consists in the frontier and interdisciplinary research of resonant wood whose structural characteristics have been influenced by climate change in the last 50 years compared to assortments of aged wood (naturally aged), as well as wood treated by surface treatments and dynamics in concordance with the recipes of the old luthiers (Stradivari / Amati / Guarnieri).

The operational objectives of the project will be materialized through application experimental investigations, with high-tech equipment and through an interdisciplinary research team in the field of earth sciences (forest), chemistry and materials science, engineering sciences, humanities (music), ensuring the transfer of knowledge from experienced researchers to young researchers. The added value of the project is the reaffirmation of Romanian research in a niche field (production of musical instruments) in which over 80% is export.

The project ”Qualitative, dynamic and acoustic analysis of anisotropic systems with modified interfaces” (ACADIA) aims to explore the mechanical, dynamic and acoustic properties of wood from the construction of stringed musical instruments, both as anisotropic systems with different interfaces due to the structure, texture and design of the wood (spruce and maple), as well as multibody systems whose complex geometry give the musical instrument its special acoustic qualities.

The aim of the ACADIA project is to study the dynamic and acoustic properties of resonant wood from the Carpathian mountains area, modified by three types of treatments: artificial aging (exposure to UV radiation); filling the pores with saline solution and applying two types of finishes (based on natural resins and nitrocellulose resins, according to what is used in the musical instrument factory).

Objectives:

 O1. Microscopic and spectroscopic (FTIR) investigation on the penetration and distribution of treatment materials into wood

O2. Determination of elastic/acoustic properties of wood samples with different surface treatments

O3. Evaluation of dynamic and acoustic properties of wood and violins from unmodified and modified biointerfaces

O4.  The dissemination and visibility of tje project results

Phase I/2022 (02.06.2022 - 31.12.2022)

Microscopic and spectroscopic (FTIR) investigation on the penetration and distribution of treatment materials into wood

Act 1.1 - Preparation of samples (both control and treatment samples) for all test types

Act 1.2 - Identification and establishment of anatomical models and physical properties of wood species: spruce and maple

Act 1.3 - Exposure of wood samples to UV radiation and control of mass, dimensions and physical characteristics

Act 1.4 - Exposure of wood samples to the saline environment and control of mass, dimensions and physical characteristics

Act 1.5 - Application of varnish on anisotropic interfaces

Act. 1.6. Progressive analyzing the surface modification and chemical components using microscopic and spectroscopic (FTIR)

Act. 1.7 - Dissemination and promotion of project results

Phase II/2023 (01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023)

Determination of elastic/acoustic properties of wood samples with different surface treatments

 Act. 2.1. Determination of mechanical properties of samples subjected to tensile 

Act. 2.2. Determination of elastic properties of samples subjected to dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)

Act. 2.3. Determination of ultrasonic longitudinal / transverse wave propagation velocity in wood specimens 

Act. 2.4. Elaboration of critical analysis of elastic properties of resonance wood in correlation with microscopic and spectroscopic analysis

 Act. 2.5 - Dissemination and promotion of project results

                            Workshop 23 June 2023                                                                                       Workshop 17 November 2023

Act. 2.6. Progressive analyzing the surface modification and chemical components using microscopic and spectroscopic (FTIR)

 Phase III/2024 (01.01.2024 - 31.12.2024)

Evaluation of dynamic and acoustic properties of wood and violins from unmodified and modified biointerfaces

Phase I/2022 

Microscopic and spectroscopic (FTIR) investigation on the penetration and distribution of treatment materials into wood

Act 1.1 Sample preparation (both control and treatment samples) for all test types

Act 1.2 - Identification and establishment of anatomical models and physical properties of wood species: spruce and maple 

Act 1.3 - Exposure of wood samples to UV radiation and control of mass, dimensions and physical characteristics

Act 1.4 - Exposure of wood samples to the saline environment and control of mass, dimensions and physical characteristics

Act 1.5 - Application of varnish on anisotropic interfaces