# Slime Music-Making Machines The Energy Bending Lab Turns Slime Mold's Electric Activity into Sound By Cadhla Gray | Published 2015-10-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-bending References: [wired](http://www.wired.com/2015/10/listen-slime-mold-sing-song/) & [interspecifics.cc](http://www.interspecifics.cc/-/) While slime may not seem like a musical subject, the Energy Bending Lab takes a creative look at such organisms and figures out ways to turn their electrical movements into sounds. The artists responsible for this are Leslie Garcia and Paloma Lopez, who put [microorganisms into petri dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-void) and connect them to electrodes in order to measure their activity. Those measurements are then adapted into [musical oscillations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gradient-synth) using a computer to create patterns called "Non-Human Rhythms." The rhythms of the music are determined by the [slime mold](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slime-life-cheeseburger-diy-slime-kit), while the melodies are chosen by humans. Interestingly, the photophobic bacteria's rhythm patterns can also be manipulated though by adding light. When light is introduced, energy bending occurs by slowing down the bacteria's electrode activity and produces a slower beat. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Multimedia](https://www.trendhunter.com/multimedia) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Biomusic:** Opportunity for innovation in creating music by translating electrical activities of organisms into sound. - **Non-human Rhythms:** Opportunity for innovation in developing rhythmic patterns in music generated by slime molds and microorganisms. - **Interactive Music Experiences:** Opportunity for innovation in allowing audiences to interact with music generated by the electrical activity of organisms. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Music Production:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in incorporating biomusic techniques in music production processes. - **Bioengineering:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in using electrical activity of organisms for bioengineering applications such as sound generation. - **Experiential Entertainment:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating interactive music experiences using organisms' electrical activity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Powered MIDI Sound Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-hultn-tegel.md) - [Ai Music Module Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muse-3.md) - [Music AI-Generated Visual Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modem.md) - [Vibrant Slime Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sloomoo-institute.md) - [Human Microbiome-Powered Meditation Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microbiomepowered.md) - [Tactile Interactive Music Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamaha.md) - [Organic Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lapso.md) - [Water Movement Sculptural Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inner-waves.md) - [Edible Slime Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slime-candy.md)