Silica glass guitar pick jazzes up UN International Year of Glass 2022

Researchers at Kyushu University debuted the world's first silica glass guitar pick with a live performance at the United Nations International Year of Glass 2022 closing ceremony.

The pick was developed by Professor Shigeru Fujino of Kyushu University's Global Innovation Center, in collaboration with Kyoto Sangyo University, Ikeda Picks, and Kohoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.

As ubiquitous as it is, glass can come in different strength and structures. Window glass and the glass used on your phone are quite different after all. Whereas common glass contains different chemicals that alter their physical or optical properties, silica glass is composed of pure silicon dioxide, also known as silica, the main component of glass.

"The molecular structure of silica glass makes if more durable, has better light transmission, and is highly heat and chemical resistant," explains Fujino. "Humans have been using the material since ancient times. The jewel in Tutankhamun's scarab brooch is made of silica glass."

In 2018 Fujino's lab developed the technology to process silica glass into various shapes and contours, previously untenable by conventional methods, easily and economically. To demonstrate silica glass's unique high rigidity, lightweight, and vibration damping qualities, the group came up with the idea of making a one-of-a-kind guitar pick.

"Silica glass has higher mechanical strength and density than celluloid, the common material used in guitar picks," continues Fujino. "Its unique properties produce gorgeous and glittering high-frequency sounds that cannot be obtained with conventional guitar picks."

When the United Nations designated 2022 as the 'International Year of Glass' various events were held around the world to reflect on the history of the material's contribution to human progress. At the closing ceremony held at the University of Tokyo, Fujino introduced the silica glass pick adorned with an ukiyo-e style engraving. It was there that world-famous jazz guitarists, Joshua Breakstone and Satoshi Inoue perform live with the world's first silica glass guitar picks.

The team is in talks with Ikeda Picks and Kohoku Kogyo Co., Ltd., to make these picks commercially available to all musicians.

See the silica guitar pick in action, performed by Associate Professor Shinichiro Ito of Kyoto Sangyo University who collaborated in its development.
https://youtu.be/rLYEECzWxAg

Listen to some music performed with the silica guitar pick here.
https://soundcloud.com/high-purity-silica-glass

Fujino lab Instagram with other silica glass creations
https://www.instagram.com/fujinoglasslab_kyushu_univ_jp/
Fujino lab introductory video
https://youtu.be/ZxgYuaxedh8

Research-related inquiries

Shigeru Fujino, Professor
Global Innovation Center

Contact information can also be found in the full release.