Data Sonification Wind Chimes

The Data Sonification Weather Chimes project aims to upgrade a weather-responsive wind chime prototype by addressing issues with mechanical durability, inconsistent performance, and the lack of a passive mode. The redesigned system will feature both an ‘active’ mode where the chimes will respond to real time weather data and a ‘passive’ mode that allows the user to choose a desired set of notes to be played. The MSD team will focus on improving the mechanical components, enhancing acoustic quality, and ensuring long-term reliability in outdoor environments. The team’s solution is to create a large-scale windchime with two modes: ‘active’ weather mode and ‘passive’ user-controlled mode. Active mode is controlled by the real world weather data for the Rochester area. Based on the temperature and the current weather conditions the chimes will automatically orient themselves to a predetermined scale for that designated weather condition. For the passive mode the user can set a customized scale to run for any desired duration. A traditional clapper and windsail system will use the wind to strike the chimes naturally. The roof has been updated to be more structurally sound and properly secured to the frame. The electronic system has been appropriately weather proofed and sealed to prevent water and debris damages. All materials used have been chosen to resist the Rochester weather conditions.