Qiuyu Lu, Jifei Ou, Lining Yao, Hiroshi Ishii. CHI EA 2024. PDF I DOI

This paper introduces milleCrepe, an innovative exploration of harnessing multilayer structures and diverse actuation mediums to expand the capabilities of the fluid-driven interface. Unlike prior pneumatic or hydraulic interfaces mainly focused on shape-changing output, milleCrepe may enable alternative deformation and more modalities through tuning multilayer chamber design and selecting appropriate actuation medium. For example, The collaboration of multilayer chambers results in a significant volume change, enabling the transformation of a 2D plane into a 3D solid. Selective actuation of different layers enables multiple shape changes. Furthermore, diverse actuation media inside different chamber layers can interact to create physical logic structures enabled by pressure difference, dynamic appearances corresponding to colored liquid mixtures, and tunable stiffness through phase changes. Additionally, several applications are presented to exemplify the potential of this technology in both product and interaction design.