The Idea behind Sonification

Sonification is « the use of non-speech audio to convey information or perceptualize data. Auditory perception has advantages in temportal, spatial, amplitude and frequency resolution that open possibilities as an alternative or complement to visualization techniques. »¹. It can also be simply seen as an interface between the human and the machine.

The Aim of the Sonification of Arsenic was to improve the actual prototype to make it more intuitive.

The basic concept is that the bacteria are producing light which is converted into frequency thanks to TSL235 (a light to frequency converter). This frequency could be used to perform some specific sounds depending on its value. We wanted to play a music while counting, to inform the user the measure is being taken, that it is processing. And finally a specific music that will become more and more dramatic the higher the concentration of arsenic the sample is containing.

Conceptual description of the Sonification of Arsenic

We worked with two different prototypes:

1. Working with a Piezo Speaker

2. Working with a Music Shield

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¹ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonification