Venous Materials is inspired by
vein systems ubiquitous
in nature and in the human body.
By informing us of internal
and external conditions,
Venous Materials can act as a new form
of tangible interaction.
As an example, veins in leaves
transmit pigments that drive color change,
which then informs us of the leaf’s internal conditions
and also which season it is.
The basic principle of
Venous Materials
is that the liquid is placed
inside a flexible material
to flow through
its internal channels,
when tangible input, like pressing or bending,
is applied by users.
We created and studied a set of
primitive venous geometries
to act as embedded analog
fluidic sensors
that display flow
and color change.
By integrating different flow
geometries and multicolor fluids
into the analog mechanism,
we can encode dynamic
information into the flow.
Using multilayer compositions
and deformations inputs,
we achieved diverse display utilities,
such as capturing the memory of applied pressure,
and visualizing real time
dynamic motion.
We developed a design tool to provide users
with a simple way to create
and validate their design.
This tool allows for the iterative design of the geometry
and simulation of the flow
according to a specific
mechanical deformation input.
From there, we prototyped with microfluidics technology
that manipulates fluids at the microscale.
We developed fabrication methods along with laser engraving,
accessible tools and materials.
As an Interaction Designer myself, I think Venous Materials
is such an exciting new design opportunity
that the tangible interactive experiences
can be embedded in the flexible and fluidic
mechanical structures.
And this structure itself is the program
that defines the tangible interaction logic.
We envision how Venous Materials
can be integrated with wearables
by using the motion from daily physical activities.
It can also be applied to
embodied interaction and learning,
dynamic Information representation,
and condition indicators for packaging.
Venous Materials form the base architecture
for fluidic mechanisms,
which we believe will carve the path
for future interaction design.
