February 25, 2009 – Scientific American Historically, carbon-fiber composites have beefed up airplane and space shuttle wings, formed rocket nose cones, and sliced through the waves in the America’s Cup. Known for their stronger-than-steel sturdiness, the materials weren’t originally developed with high art in mind. But instruments made from these materials offer many advantages: they’re durable, lighter than wood, and insensitive to changes in temperature or humidity. MORE
