Rapid Prototyping used to Create Sound

Jun Murakoshi is a researcher in Department of Design Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Japan. Among his works is this interesting device made via rapid prototyping technology: the "noisy instrument". According to Jun, the device:

is a wearable instrument for listening the noise like seashell makes.

One can imagine future experiments where software is applied to works such as this. Using advanced sound wave modeling software, it may be possible to engineer the shape to produce certain types of sounds. Then, once identified, the sound-producing shape can be filled out with other design elements to develop unique sound-making artifacts. Of course, then they can be punched out into real objects using 3D fabrication machinery.

Via Jun Murakoshi Design