Venous Materials: A New Era of Interactive Fluidic Interfaces

Designer Hila Mor's Award-Winning Innovation Inspired by Nature's Vein Systems

The Venous Materials project is a unique blend of art, design, and technology. It represents a new way of designing dynamic tangible interactions using fluidic structures. These materials respond to a user's pressure and motion with dynamic displayed patterns, creating a sensory experience that goes beyond the traditional tactile response.

The inspiration for this project comes from the ubiquitous venous structures found throughout nature and in the human body. Just as veins in leaves transmit pigments that inform us of the internal condition of the leaf and the changing seasons, Venous Materials change color and pattern in response to pressure and movement. This subtle yet powerful transformation is used to indicate the applied pressure, creating a dynamic and interactive user experience.

The technology behind Venous Materials is a result of extensive research in Microfluidics, specifically designed for human interaction and user experience design. A specialized computational tool was developed to simulate and visualize the color change and flow display within the material, according to user input. The production process involves laser engraving and manual lab processes, using PDMS silicone and ecoline ink.

The Venous Materials project started in June 2019 and was completed in April 2020 in Cambridge, MA, at the MIT Media Lab, Tangible Media group. The team faced several challenges, including the design of micro-fluid dynamics and the integration of rigid and bulky components. However, their innovative approach and computational tool allowed the design, simulation, and prototyping of fluidic interactive sensors that can be embedded in or attached to any object.

In conclusion, Venous Materials is a testament to the power of design and innovation. It represents a new era of interactive materials that respond to human touch in a dynamic and visually captivating way. This project not only pushes the boundaries of design and technology but also opens up new possibilities for the future of human interaction with materials.