Researchers at Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen), working in conjunction with professor Shigeru Naito of Osaka University, have developed a device that uses waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water.
The device, called AMOEBA (Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin), consists of 50 water wave generators encircling a cylindrical tank 1.6 meters in diameter and 30 cm deep (about the size of a backyard kiddie pool). The wave generators move up and down in controlled motions to simultaneously produce a number of cylindrical waves that act as pixels. The pixels, which measure 10 cm in diameter and 4 cm in height, are combined to form lines and shapes. AMOEBA is capable of spelling out the entire roman alphabet, as well as some simple kanji characters. Each letter or picture remains on the water surface only for a moment, but they can be produced in succession on the surface every 3 seconds.
Researchers at Akishima Laboratories have developed similar devices in the past that used waves to draw pictures on the surface of water, but those devices had trouble producing letters with straight lines (such as the letter K). Additionally, it took the previous devices up to 15 minutes of data input time to produce each letter.
The newly developed technology uses improved calculation methods for controlling the wave generators, relying on formulas known as Bessel functions. In addition to being able to draw letters consisting of straight lines, the input time has been drastically reduced to between 15 and 30 seconds for each letter.
Akishima Laboratories expects the technology to be incorporated into amusement devices that combine acoustics, lighting and fountain technology, which they hope to see installed at theme parks and hotels.
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UPDATE Dec 27, 2006: Check out this short video of AMOEBA in action, from the World Business Satellite (WBS) news program (props to Seihin World). AMOEBA forms the letters "WBS" on the water surface.
[Source: Fuji Sankei]
Jannon
Someone PLEASE tell me why people are spending so much time on a project like this... Obviously these are smart people and a lot of money has been spent on the software and materials... Arn't there more pressing projects to work on???? Smart people--please start doing something with a PURPOSE!!!
[]Patrick
The work with bessel functions has helped countless fields, really anything that involves measuring frequency of waves. Especially a lot to do with space. I'm assuming that this is being used not only for the sake of it, but also to help better understand waves and make advancements in such fields. Also it's cool. :P
[]Robyn Tippins
Um, I'd say they're doing it for the marketability of such a device. Think about the advertising dollars for something like this...
[]noneofyourbusiness
This really could serve as a great artistic tool. However, stop and think of this technology used backwards. For example, you could "reverse engineer" the waves in a gulf so as to get information on how they are formed. This way environmental hydraulics could use the knowledge attained through this research. Probably some other research areas too.
[]Edo
[]Thanks, reddit users!
eray
Eray The Era
[]Benkei
Robyn is right. They should have printed "$" on the water instead of "S"...
[]Goober
3 Words,
[]Because its cool
Lucky Clover
They don't use $ in Japan, they use ¥.
Maybe they are developing this for the sake of saké? Imagine dipping your cup into a pool of saké while the surface could have a mudflap girl on it or something that keeps changing forms. I'd call it... the Sonic Saké Well!
[]Jake Dunno
I'd call it a big waste of time and money!
[]Joe
Good to see the tax dollars working well on some "serious" scientific research. Maybe the calculation methods might serve some useful purpose?? If not, at least it will be a curious marketing gimmick in the future. But I must say it does look impressive.
[]Steve
1. This is in Japan, so the source of the funding is none of your concern
[]2. What makes you think ANYONE'S tax yen is at work here? This could be privately funded for all you know.
DJ Fadereu
Its the coolest thing I've seen in a l0000000000000000ng time.
I mean, WHOA!
[]Smoke on the water
I agree with you, Joe.
[]First you come up with the technology, then you find out its (un)usefulness.
It's been like that many times in science's history.
Terence
A very nice technology oriented site. And the wave generator is definitely going to change the way we write on glass :) That my take from the advertising point of view. Terence from http://www.harro.com
[]Andy
Its cool!!!
[]tekinha
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Very interresting This has high military operations. Even fish shoals can be harnessed by moving their directions.This can be used to bring up the underwater granules and modules and gather them as resources.In Dams the direction of water can be controlled.Perhaps this can be used to separate deutrium and tritium from water masses
[]Doug Karr
I'm sure that folks said that Edison recording his voice was a big waste of time. It's not the completed project that defines the worth of a project like this. The complexity of the calculations and ability to warp liquid is pretty amazing. Imagine the uses simply in the medical field. Our bodies are mostly liquid... utilizing waves that don't penetrate our skin but actually could move organs could be an amazing advancement in medical history.
[]steve c
cure disease, prevent hurricanes, Sunamis and natural ccuring disasters. Then draw your pretty images. Please.
[]Burt O'Hare
Man your such nerds.
Enjoy it for what it is.
[]tahanney
i think do what it takes to save lives and not on some other crap
[]rod
No pues que loco brother, esto si esta mas allá de la imaginación. nunca pensé ver algo así pero se ve muy fregón. Yo pensé que esto lo podrían implementar con plasma o con algunas cosas pero en el aire. Saludos.
[]Martijn
They should make it larger and sell peace's of ocean as advertising space on google earth!!
[]Michael I
This device demonstrates how sophisticated is their control of waves. They have the ability to control where waves will converge, and what shape the wave will be at those many points of conversion. So far they have used it to show off. But the uses of that skill are only limited by the imagination. I agree with a previous writer who said that it could have medical applications someday. Imagine using wave technology to focus on and destroy tumors in the body without operating. How about drilling a tunnel through a mountain using focused sonic waves. Moving smoke out of a building using sound waves. Using wave technology to catch fish. Just imagine.
[]SEO Mexico
Hello,
[]Interesting devise, much mathematics and money. With lights and sounds it will be much better, but how much will it cost to put it in action in a hotel or for amusement?
Jack
Maybe they could make a pocket size for swimmers that spell out (HELP I'M DROWNING ).
[]vcvx
very nice
[]Michris
Hi, I started a collection of strange printing devices ... I added this one as well.
Have fun.
[]David G
Looks very cool. The videos are down though :( would have loved to have seen one
[]Joel Leek
The shape created by the wave spells:
"AMOEBA: Advanced Multiple O..."
[]This Video is no longer available
due to a copyright claim by TV
TOKYO Corporation.