Some kinds of3D printingObjects are now able to “perceive” objects – this uses a new technology to build sensors directly into their materials. A new study found that this may help new types of interactive devices, such as smart furniture.The new technology integrates the sensing capabilities into a repetitive cell3D printingIn the structure, this enables designers to quickly prototype interactive input devices. When force is applied to flexible metamaterials, some of their cells may stretch or compress. The electrodes in these structures can detect the magnitude and direction of shape changes, as well as rotating and accelerating ions.
In this new study, the researchers fabricated objects made of flexible plastic and conductive filaments. The batteries of these objects are only 5 mm wide. Each battery has two opposite walls, made of conductive wire and non-conductive plastic, and the conductive walls are used as electrodes. The force applied to the object changes the distance and overlap area between the opposing electrodes, generating an electrical signal, revealing the details of the applied force. In this way, the new technology can “seamlessly and unobtrusively integrate perception into printed matter,” said Jun Gong, co-author of the study and research scientist at Apple.
Researchers suggest that these metamaterials can help designers quickly create and adjust flexible input devices for computers. For example, they used these metamaterials to create a music controller, which is designed to fit human hands. When the user presses one of the flexible buttons, the electrical signal generated helps to control the digital synthesizer.
The scientists also created a metamaterial joystick to play Pac-Man. By understanding how people apply force to this joystick, designers can design unique handle shapes and sizes for people with limited grip in certain directions. “We can perceive any3D printingThe movement of objects,” said Cedric Honnet, a co-author of the study and embedded systems engineer at MIT, “from music to game interfaces, the huge potential is really exciting. “Researchers have also created 3D editing software, called MetaSense, to help users build interactive devices using these metamaterials. It simulates3D printingHow the object deforms when different forces are applied, and calculate which elements change the most and which elements are most suitable for use as electrodes.
“MetaSense allows designers to complete3D printingstructure. This allows ultra-rapid prototyping of devices, such as joysticks, that can be customized for individuals with different accessibility needs,” said research co-author Olivia Seow, a creative machine learning engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Gong said that it will be hundreds or even more. Thousands of sensor units are embedded in an object, which facilitates high-resolution real-time analysis of how the user interacts with it. For example, a smart chair made of this metamaterial can detect the user’s body and then turn on the light Or TV, or collecting data for later analysis, such as detecting and correcting body posture. Honnet also said that these metamaterials can also be used in wearable applications.
(Editor in charge: admin)
0 Comments for “3D printing technology allows objects to perceive the force applied to them to realize new interactive applications”