<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT size=2>Dear piano professionals,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I am a researcher in Mechanics/ Mechanical = Engineering and more precisely in what we call "Structural Optimization". = </FONT><FONT size=2>Structural Optimization is for example to achieve the minimum = weight of a structure (let's say a piano) still satisfying some stiffness = requirements. There are some techniques and computer tools which allow to find those "optimal designs".</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well, beside my research I am a passionate amateur = pianist and I would love to apply my research to the design and improvement of  = pianos.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>That's where you guys can come into picture and help = me to define what can be "optimized" in a piano. I already have some = ideas like minimizing the weight of the cast iron frame, improving the hammer mechanism etc... There might be some need in accurately modeling the = structural behavior of the piano too.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I am open to any idea or hint about what could = possibly done on a piano to improve it.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks very much for your time.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Sincerly,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Samy Missoum</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Research Associate.<BR>Aerospace and = Ocean Engineering Department.<BR>Virginia Polytechnic = Institute.<BR>Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061. USA.<BR>Tel : (540) 231 - 2046<BR>Fax : (540) 231 - 9632</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>