milleCrepe: Extending Capabilities of Fluid-driven Interfaces with Multilayer Structures and Diverse Actuation Media
Abstract: 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 differences, 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.
Example Applications of milleCrepe: (a) A desktop Organizer utilizing the dramatic volume change. (b) A watertight vase and a dragonfly decoration with shape-changing and stiffness-changing capabilities. (c) A responsive shape-changing mug mat with embedded logic structures for processing two input modalities non-electrically. (d) Stained glass with dynamic pattern changes.