Sponsors - Hot Pans Steelband
The Pan is still a young and evolving instrument. Experiments and developments are being done continuosly. Here is a list of some of the developments, experiments and off-springs of pan.
You may also read about innovations in my Pan Tuning Handbook
Steel Pan (Steel Drums) Information.com also has an informative section on steelpan innovations.
Researchers at University of Texas and PanYard, Inc has done some experiments with a pan manufactured in aluminium and has written a scientific article about their findings. Unfortunately, the article (linked from the heading) is not free to read, but you can read the abstract if you follow the link.
The Steel Drum Enters The 21st Century! Welcome to the birth of a new era in steel drums. Presenting a "proof of concept" electronic steel drum. Image having the sound and form factor of an acoustical steel drum, without the use of 55-gallon oil drums. See additional information and pictures at www.electricsteeldrums.com. Sound saples and video clips are presented at the page http://www.electricsteeldrums.com/additional.html
Some great minds invested plenty of time to create the panKAT, that will be available to purchase in February. This instrument is now produced by a leading manufacturer of MIDI percussion instruments like vibraphones. Jazz player Dave Samuels is one of their biggest clients. Check it out at this link: www.alternatemode.com/pankat.shtml
Citing WikiPedia: "The Hang was developed in 2000 in Berne, Switzerland by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer (PANArt Hangbau AG) and introduced at the Frankfurt Music Fair in 2001."