HydroMorph: Shape Changing Water Membrane for Display and Interaction

• Main Authors: Peraino, Jim (Author), Shuang, Yin (Author), Nakagaki, Ken (Contributor), Akiyama, Chantine A. (Contributor), Totaro, Pasquale Pio (Contributor), Ishii, Hiroshi (Contributor), Shihipar, Thariq (Contributor)
• Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Media Laboratory (Contributor), Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) (Contributor)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017-06-27T23:15:42Z.
• Subjects: Article
• Online Access: Get fulltext

HydroMorph is an interactive display based on shapes formed by a stream of water. Inspired by the membrane formed when a water stream hits a smooth surface (e.g. a spoon), we developed a system that dynamically controls the shape of a water membrane. This paper describes the design and implementation of our system, explores a design space of interactions around water shapes, and proposes a set of user scenarios in applications across scales, from the faucet to the fountain. Through this work, we look to to enrich our interaction with water, an everyday material, with the added dimension of transformation.