ProtoSpray takes displays beyond 2D

Using a novel combination of sprayable electronics and 3D printing, ProtoSpray  allows the creation of displays on surfaces that go beyond the usual rectangular and 2D shapes.

‘Floating pixels’ render digital information in a physical space

“We have liberated displays from their 2D rectangular casings by developing a process so people can build interactive objects of any shape. The process is very accessible: it allows end-users to create objects with conductive plastic and electroluminescent paint even if they don’t have expertise in these materials,” said Ollie Hanton, PhD student and lead author of the research.

Hanton’s paper on the innovation was presented and received an honourable mention at the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

According to Bristol University, the aim of the EPSRC-funded research was to broaden the scope of how people can interact with digital technologies. The ProtoSpray process, developed in collaboration with the MIT media lab, opens up potential for makers, hobbyists and researchers to develop interactive objects of different shapes.