MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) researchers found a way on how to translate spider webs into music. Although the is innovation will not help people get rid of their spider fears, the involved experts said that it can lead to more advanced 3D printing methods. 

Spider Webs Make Music? MIT Experts Claim This Could Lead to More Efficient 3D Printing Methods
(Photo : Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The early morning frost clings to a cobweb in Regents Park on December 12, 2012 in London, England. Forecasters have warned that the UK could experience the coldest day of the year so far today, with temperatures dropping as low as -14C, bringing widespread ice, harsh frosts and freezing fog. Travel disruption is expected with warnings for heavy snow in some parts of the country.

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Tomas Saraceno, a Berlin artist, worked with MIT researchers for the project. The team of scientists used two-dimensional laser scanners to make 2D spider webs.  

After that, they combined these 2D scans and converted them into a mathematical model. They used the new spider web model to recreate the original web in 3D virtual reality. 

Aside from Saraceno, the researchers also worked with MIT's music department to create the harplike virtual instrument. 

"Even though the web looks really random, there actually are a lot of internal structures and you can visualize them and you can look at them," said Markus Buehler, an MIT engineering professor, via ABC7's report

"But it's really hard to grasp for the human imagination or human brain to understand all these structural details," he added. 

How spider webs create music

The involved MIT researchers explained that they were able to listen to the spider web model by moving through the web's 2D strings. It allowed them to see and hear its structural changes, offering them a better idea of how spiders use their webs to see their environment. 

Spider Webs Make Music? MIT Experts Claim This Could Lead to More Efficient 3D Printing Methods
(Photo : Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Water hangs on cobwebs in the early morning fog on September 16, 2014 in London, England. After a foggy start in central London, the capital is expected to enjoy another fine day, with temperatures expected to reach 25 degrees centigrade.

Beuhler explained that these animals have very keen vibration sensors. They use them to create vibrations, allowing them to communicate with other spiders. 

He added that spider webs work just like how people strum a normal guitar.  

New advanced 3D printing methods could arrive

MIT experts claimed that the new study could help create new advanced 3D printing methods, which are more efficient than the currently available techniques. CNET reported that the spiders' way of creating their webs could be used by various scientists in 3D printing activities. 

Aside from these, the MIT scientists also expect that their new study could allow them to communicate with these animals through synthetic signals. However, they didn't specify what they would do if ever they were able to understand the arachnids. 

For more news updates about new MIT studies and other related stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon

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