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Real Liquid Display Makes Mac OS X Aqua Look Like Crayolas
Posted by Jesus Diaz at 1:45 AM on August 1, 2008
Giz reader Nicholas Buechi created this real liquid display that really doesn't display anything but bubbles. And that's enough, because it is mesmerising enough as it is. The liquid display is driven by an Arduino processor, and the events are triggered by a water keyboard. Sounds crazy, but in action it looks very pretty and soothing:
Nicholas explains how it works:
It's based on an Arduino processor and a board I did myself. There are 16 valves controlled by transistors. The interface [where you put your fingers to trigger events] uses 3 Q-Prox QT110E chips. With them I measure the voltage in the water. If anyone touches the water, electrons flow to the person, which gives the system feedback.
The whole effect is quite relaxing and cool. I need this as a Mac OS X screensaver. Pronto. [The Liquid Display]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Eruanno
Posted 2:27 AM 1/8/08
MISTER BUBBLES!!!
Eruanno
ANoel
Posted 2:16 AM 1/8/08
@Sora57:
Then, my son, you are truly "A Fartist" !!!
ANoel
Sora57
Posted 2:06 AM 1/8/08
I can recreate something similar in the bathtub. This is possible because:
a) I can fart on command
b) the size and frequency of the bubbles can be selectable based on the meal eaten prior to the bubble-making
c) my way includes "surround smell" technology
Sora57
ANoel
Posted 1:58 AM 1/8/08
So, so... silent but deadly soothing bath-like!
ANoel
UrIt
Posted 1:56 AM 1/8/08
bubblesbubblesbubblesbubbles!!!
My bubbles
UrIt
Jimbuck
Posted 1:56 AM 1/8/08
Cool. I've always been a sucker for interactive media/gadgetry. Very elegant presentation.
Jimbuck
faabshaam
Posted 1:53 AM 1/8/08
That WOULD be a fun screensaver, but you'd have to be able to adjust the size, rhythm, and quantity as well.
faabshaam
thomusvoo
Posted 1:51 AM 1/8/08
ok.
thomusvoo
Connman
Posted 1:51 AM 1/8/08
dang, that's a big processor
Connman
snowtires
Posted 2:46 AM 1/8/08
Sweet, now I can finally finger-bang my computer like I've always wanted
snowtires
cloneapoc
Posted 2:42 AM 1/8/08
They have something similar to this at the Ontario Science Center [www.ontariosciencecentre.ca] it's called Pipe Dreams, or bubble wall. And what it does is takes a 1-bit photo and displays it with bubbles.
Example: [www.apocalyps.ca]
cloneapoc
SlinkyDink
Posted 2:42 AM 1/8/08
I love the Arduino.
SlinkyDink
thedoctah
Posted 2:40 AM 1/8/08
Apple's next jump? Forget the iPod touch and iPhone, Jobs will shank the kid and get his developers crackin' on a MacBook Pro with all aqua inputs.
thedoctah
Maced
Posted 2:38 AM 1/8/08
@Sora57: Don't inhale the "farticles" !!
Maced
dingus
Posted 3:13 AM 1/8/08
Someone forgot to add bypass caps in their pcb layout. lolz.
dingus
RobotVampire
Posted 3:04 AM 1/8/08
Good job Jesus, two Apple reference in a post that has jack crap to do with Apple. Well played sir.
RobotVampire
Xenocide
Posted 2:57 AM 1/8/08
The perfect interface for your water stored music.
+ Watch video
Xenocide
Nelson
Posted 3:31 AM 1/8/08
uh...keyboard made of water? we're edging uncomfortably close to cylon basestar technology here...
Nelson
4shizz
Posted 3:22 AM 1/8/08
is it waterproof?
4shizz
scarbrtj
Posted 3:59 AM 1/8/08
@RobotVampire:
Not so! If you're Spanish...
agua = water = aqua = Mac OS X "Water" = PC + water = liquid display
see???
scarbrtj
Jon!
Posted 3:50 AM 1/8/08
@RobotVampire: dude get a life
Jon!
Jesus Diaz
Posted 4:06 AM 1/8/08
@scarbrtj: actually, aqua is an english word too:
noun
a light bluish-green color
It comes from latin, one of the roots of the english language that was obligatory in schools all across Europe when I used to go to school. But still, words like this should be common knowledge to anyone who has attended any decent school or read a bit. Or watch the bloody History Channel.
Jesus Diaz
nutbastard
Posted 4:51 AM 1/8/08
@Xenocide:
holy crap i thought i was the only metalocalypse fan here.
nutbastard
chonnes
Posted 5:08 AM 1/8/08
Not to discount the incredible artistic and creative merit of this project, BUT couldn't one create a similar (if not even more hypnotic & colorful) installation using an ultra hi-def screen and high-end graphics processing? Sound could even be added. You know, this art project could easily be the inspiration for a whole new combo of synth beat-making and visual art . . . as a matter of fact, I think it already has . . hmmm
chonnes
rei_a
Posted 6:56 AM 1/8/08
@chonnes: That would kinda' defeat the entire purpose...
rei_a
Rain-man
Posted 6:45 AM 1/8/08
I think the Apple Aqua reference was fully justified. :)
Rain-man
Awesom-o
Posted 1:22 PM 1/8/08
@UrIt:
Tripping Daisy?
Awesom-o
otis123
Posted 3:15 PM 1/8/08
how is this cool?
otis123
RobotVampire
Posted 4:57 PM 1/8/08
@Jon!: You sir, can suck my balls. It's called a good natured ribbing, not like I went off on a fanboy rant or something. I believe we know who really needs to get a life, that's right, I'm lookin' at you.
RobotVampire