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Venous Materials: Redefining Interactive Sensor Design

Hila Mor's Venous Materials project is a groundbreaking exploration of interactive sensor design, drawing inspiration from the intricate venous structures present in nature and the human body. The project, developed in collaboration with a talented team at the MIT Media Lab, Tangible Media group, introduces a new paradigm in material interaction and dynamic graphics.

The technology behind Venous Materials is rooted in cutting-edge Microfluidics research, tailored for seamless human interaction and user experience. Leveraging a specialized computational tool, the project enables the simulation and visualization of color change and fluid flow within the material, responsive to user input. The production process involves advanced techniques such as laser engraving and manual lab processes, utilizing PDMS silicone and ecoline ink.

Venous Materials prototypes range in size from 5cmX5cm to 15x15cm, offering a versatile platform that can be assembled to form larger sheets. This innovative approach to material design opens up a myriad of possibilities for interaction design, material research, and computational-aided design applications.

One of the most compelling aspects of Venous Materials is its dual functionality as both a sensor and a display. By deforming or applying pressure to the material, users can elicit dynamic fluid flow within the internal channels, resulting in a captivating visual display that responds to physical force. This unique characteristic positions Venous Materials as an invaluable tool for augmenting human movement, creating responsive objects, and visualizing body movement and balance.

The Venous Materials project was realized between June 2019 and April 2020 in Cambridge, MA, at the MIT Media Lab, Tangible Media group. The underlying research for this design encompasses the development of interactive fluidic mechanisms that dynamically respond to mechanical inputs from users, offering a simple yet powerful way to create and validate designs of fluidic structures.

Recognizing its exceptional innovation and design excellence, Venous Materials was honored with the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in 2021. This accolade underscores the project's outstanding expertise, technical characteristics, and remarkable level of excellence in the field of interactive sensor design.

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