Violin Forum/Message Board

[Janito]

Electromagnetic radiation has been used for ages in the biomedical field. Take magnetic resonance for imaging or characterization of compounds and ultrasonography for imaging, deep heat and loosening fibrotic materials.

The basis of this method involves the use of ultrasonographic waves of a wavelength that cause the pit membranes to vibrate sympathetically and loosen from their surrounding attachments. There may also be some local heat generation from molecular excitation. From the average number of pits per square millimetre and the amount of energy needed to dislodge 1 membrane, I have calculated that approximately 2753.7J of energy are required to treat a typical billet of violin wood.

Assuming that the process is not being conducted with Boeing-sized equipment, I believe that a small ultrasonic instrument is being used and that the weeks required for processing is due to the small area that can be treated at one time. A piano would take considerably longer, especially if it is a full grand.

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corrected poor spelling

[Chad48309]

[Oded Kishony]

[Janito]

From a practical perspective, most easily available ultrasonic instruments operate in the MHz range. Some industrial ones go higher.

As you see here:
http://www.photonics.byu.edu/fwnomograph.phtml
you would need much, much higher frequencies to approach the micron distances that would be appropriate to match cellular dimensions.

Incidentally, there are 'therapeutic ultrasound' instruments (searchable term) being sold for a few hundred $ or less. These may have some capacity to alter internal wood structure, given their ability to modify human tissues.

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I would be very interested to hear Mr Masterson's views on this.

[Chad48309]

[Shirley]

Actonern ~ "hyper barbaric"

[Oded Kishony]

Goes with all the 'hyper ventilation' that transpired on this mindless thread.

OK