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A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | M A Y 2 0 1 5
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STRESS RELIEF
JAZZ MUSIC IMPROVES GOLF GAME
Listening to jazz while putting can boost your performance on the green, according to new
research from Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y. While any kind of music improves performance
compared to listening to no music at all, jazz is the most effective musical genre for improving
putting, according to a recently published study. The 22 research participants were university
Division I golfers, an average of 20 years old with at least eight years of golf experience. Each of
them completed a series of six trials, which comprised attempting five putts at four predesig-
nated locations around a hole. In random order, participants were required to listen to either no
music or amusical genre that included classical, country, rock, jazz, or hip hop/rap while putting.
For more information: Ali Boolani, 315.268.1663, ,
ON TOUR WITH 3D-PRINTED GUITARS
Klaxons, the UK indie rock band, had a dream of going on tour using only 3D-printed in-
struments, and had this vision partially turned into reality with help from 3D-printed guitar
company Customuse and experts from the University of Sheffield. The band’s announcement
was made not long after Sheffield graduates Mahdi Hosseini, Sophie Findlay, and Justas Cernas
formed Customuse to make additively manufactured instruments. Hosseini came up with the
idea after realizing that his dream of a personalized guitar was financially out of reach—unless
he could get one printed.
As a Sheffield student, Hosseini worked with Professor Neil Hopkinson, who is not only
a renowned expert on 3D printing but also plays electric bass guitar. “When the Klaxons an-
nounced their tour would be 3D printed, they didn’t seem to really believe it could happen, but
for guitars at least it’s a very achievable goal. 3D printing is the ideal technology to create per-
sonalized instruments of this kind, as it allows you to have an intricate design with a lightweight
body while retaining the necessary strength to ensure the guitar will work well,” says Hopkin-
son. For more information: Neil Hopkinson, +44.01.142.22.7766,
.
HORSE POOP MUSHROOM SHOWS ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL
A fungus, known as copsin, which grows on horse dung contains a protein that can kill
bacteria. It has the same effect as traditional antibiotics, but belongs to a different class of
biochemical substances. Copsin is a protein, where traditional antibiotics are often non-
protein organic compounds. Researchers led by Markus Aebi, a mycology professor at ETH
Zurich, Switzerland, discovered the substance in the common inky cap mushroom Coprin-
opsis cinerea. Aebi and colleagues were interested in understanding how this fungus and
various bacteria affect each other’s growth.
This involved cultivating the fungus in a laboratory along with several different types
of bacteria. It was found that C. cinerea is able to kill certain bacteria. Further research
demonstrates the copsin produced by the mushroom is responsible for this antibiotic
effect. “Whether copsin will one day be used as an antibiotic in medicine remains to be seen. This is by no means certain,
but it cannot be ruled out either,” he says. For more information: Markus Aebi, +41.44.632.64.13, ,
3D-printed guitar played on tour
with the Klaxons.
A fungus that grows on horse dung
contains a protein that can kill
bacteria.
Ali Boolani, assistant professor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies, listens to jazz on the
green. Courtesy of Clarkson University/Ting-Li Wang.