Device uses waves to “print” on water surface
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.
====================
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]
[…] Fuji Sankei [via Pink Tentacle via Slashgear] […]
[…] It doesn’t matter that the thing’s useless for now, especially that cracking tsunami jokes are currently considered proof of bad taste. But maybe for starters, they should install it in some great watery expanse like the Pacific Ocean to write clever things like, “Fuck you, Martians!” I’m sure that if you could spot it on Google Earth, the aliens will see it. Then they’ll think “scientologists” and tremble in fear. via PINK TENTACLE […]
[…] Pink Tentacle points to a cool new device, invented by researchers from Akishima Laboratories that uses waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water. […]
[…] Not much strikes me as truly innovative, but how about using water to write. Over at Pink Tentacle, they’ve noted how some are using waves to write. The current practical uses seem limited to amusement parks and hotels. Shades of The Abyss anyone? • • • […]
[…] Some crazy people have come up with a way to write on water. […]
[…] Pink Tentacle reports a couple of interesting stories, including this fabulous research into printing on water. If nothing else, the machine itself looks uber-cool. […]
[…] Pink Tentacle: a system that uses wave interference to “draw” on the surface of water. This is quite beautiful. […]
[…] So it’s tuesday. Let the fun begin… Dvorak you cad. Glass beats Wire, duh. Fun statues of the world. Help yourself. Take a test. Draw some pictures. Wacky fountain of the future(i.e. now). Who’s your friend? Sure dosen’t pay to be Canadian. DUH. Yep, just as we thought. Just when I thought I understood what DNA meant. Damn you proccesed foods!! Just can’t trust a woman. Oh snap! More on the Bushs. Oh Clinton, just look at this mess. Preview of the future. India become the ultra fucking cool world leader. More on FEMA. […]
[…] Φαντάσου 50 γεννήτριες που παράγουν κύματα, στοιχισμένες γύρω από μια δεξαμενή διαμέτρου 1,6 μ. και βάθους 30 εκ. Αυτή είναι η συσκευή που σχεδίασαν οι ερευνητές των Εργαστηρίων Akishima σε συνεργασία με τον καθηγητή Shigeru Naito του Πανεπιστημίου της Osaka. Η συσκευή χρησιμοποιώντας συναρτήσεις Bessel, μπορεί να σχηματίσει όλους χαρακτήρες του λατινικού αλφάβητου καθώς και μερικά Kanji. Παρόλο που το κάθε γράμμα ή σχήμα διαρκεί μόνο για μια στιγμή, μπορεί να ξανασχηματίζεται κάθε 3 δευτερόλεπτα. […]
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!!!
Um, I’d say they’re doing it for the marketability of such a device. Think about the advertising dollars for something like this…
[…] [Source: Pink Tentacle >>> Fuji Sankei] 07 - 25 - 06 | Technology | […]
[…] @ pink tentacle via engadget […]
[…] Pink Tentacle “The wave generators move up and down in controlled motions to simultaneously produce a number of cylindrical waves that act as pixels.” Awesome 0 votes | […]
[…] (via Pink Tentacle) […]
[…] read more (Pink Tentacle) […]
[…] 5 - Device uses waves to “print” on water surface Wave generators make the shapes of letters in water…soJohn Keats may indeed one day have ‘his name writ in water’ after all. (tags: display alphabet art typography waves engineering Japan technology water) […]
[…] na ja übers wasser laufen ist ja das eine, da versteh ich sogar den sinn, man will beispielsweise von ort A nach ort B. Aber welchen sinn macht es symbole buchstaben und sonstige zeichen auf dem wasser zu “schreiben“? öhmm na ja offensichtlich haben japanische forscher gar nicht erst soweit gedacht als sie sich auf den weg machten eine super maschine zu erfinden die wohl genau selbiges macht. bin gern bereit mir vorschläge anzuhören wozu das jetzt wirklich nützlich sein soll. […]
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.
[…] via Pink Tentacle […]
Thanks, reddit users!
Eray The Era
[…] Device uses waves to print on water surface Filed under: Technology […]
[…] Courtsey of Pink Tentacle, one of the most captivating and “schwa?” articles I think I’ve read in a long while. […]
[…] Found via Pink Tentacle. […]
[…] link - PinkTentacle […]
Robyn is right. They should have printed “$” on the water instead of “S”…
[…] Descubro este nuevo invento va Pink Tentacle. EL AMOEBA (Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin) es un dispositivo que coloca 50 generadores de ondas circulares alrededor de un tanque de agua y que consigue dibujar sobre la superfcie del agua letras y kanjis simples. Es un producto de Akishima Laboratories y en versiones anteriores no poda dibujar algunas letras con lneas rectas como el carcter “K”, por ejemplo. Otro problema que ha sido solventado es el tiempo de clculo de las funciones de Bessel que se precisaban para describir la forma de los caracteres: se ha pasado de 15 minutos por cada carcter a aproximadamente 30 segundos. Escrito por Brian Jimnez El 07/27 a las 09:25 (0) Comentarios • (0) Referencias • Permalink […]
[…] […]
3 Words,
Because its cool
[…] http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/07/device-uses-waves-to-print-on-water-surface/ […]
[…] Device uses waves to “print” on water surface — 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. […]
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!
[…] Researchers at Akishima Laboratories have developed a device that uses waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water. The characters stay for some seconds on the water and then disappear. They now only have the ability to display text but this will change in the near future. This new technology relies on the Bessel functions. They expect to use this at theme parks and hotels in fountains. […]
[…] Today, Slashdot reported that a Japanese company has found a way to write characters on standing water. According to Engadget, it’s “difficult to coax a standing pool of water into forming recognizable shapes and characters.” Pink Tentacle tells us that the device is called, “Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin,” or AMOEBA for short (Japanese article at FujiSankei). […]
I’d call it a big waste of time and money!
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.
[…] Researchers have developed a device that uses waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water. I’m not sure what, other than an expensive pond in a hotel lobby, you would use this for, but its very very cool, none the less.read more | digg story […]
[…] Check out more details about the AMOEBA (Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin). Very cool… […]
[…] YouTube Clips, a Political Edge » Bookmark on del.icio.us You can drift, you can dream, even walk write on water Researchers at Akishima Laboratories havedeveloped a device that uses waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water. Here is a PDF file about the project (I think it is in Japanese, but it has pretty pictures!) […]
Its the coolest thing I’ve seen in a l0000000000000000ng time.
I mean, WHOA!
[…] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your ownsite. […]
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.
[…] source: Pink tentecle comments so far | July 29, 2006, by Administrator No Comments […]
[…] Finally, a geeky link. It looks like a company has put together some wave generators that are utilizing the wave interference patterns to print on water! Filed under Gadgets Gizmos and other Great Things […]
[…] Device uses waves to “print” on water surface […]
[…] From pinktentacle: Researchers at Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen), working in conjunction with professor Shigeru Naito of Osaka University, have developed this 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. 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. Related LibGrl Articles: Yes, THIS is a computer., awww…it’s so darn *cute*…, My coffee stays hot and now…, Technorati Tags: technogadgets, AMOEBA, wave generator, advertising Link to this article · Post to del.icio.us […]
[…] Device uses waves to “print” on water surface […]
[…] Kapcsolódó: pinktentacle.com cikk: 2006-07-24: Device uses waves to “print” on water surface […]
[…] Is this useful or useless technology? Japanese 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) uses wave technology derived from math formulas Bessel functions. All the money spent on research and technology of this device, I think they they may be better of spending more time on other more useful research i.e. maybe like finding a cure for cancer or saving the ozone layer. Actually if you want to waste the millions of dollars, maybe you can right me a blank check and I’ll help you spend it . You can read more about this at Pink Tentacle. Another one of many cool devices invented but purely useless. […]
[…] Is this useful or useless technology? Japanese 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) uses wave technology derived from Bessel math functions. All the money spent on research and technology of this device, I think they they may be better off spending more time on other more useful research i.e. like finding a cure for cancer, aids or saving the ozone layer. Actually if you want to waste the millions of dollars, maybe you can write me a blank check and I’ll help you spend it . You can read more about this at Pink Tentacle. Another one of many cool devices invented but purely useless. (Picture shown courtesy of Pink Tentacle.) […]
[…] Device uses waves to “print” on water surface […]
[…] 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 […]
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
[…] This fascinating invention courtesy Pink Tentacle. 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. […]
[…] From Japan-based blog Pink Tentacle, a report on a device that uses standing waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water. […]
Its cool!!!
[…] Vía: PinkTentacle […]
oie….
aki tha lindo eu queria que vc visitase o meu blog
vai lá plixxx
tekinhapink…
bjooooo
t mais
não se esquece de passa lá
[…] ps: eu sinceramente tô achando isso obviamente fake, mas eu vi citações em pelo menos três blogs, e como dizem por aí, uma mentira contada três vezes se torna verdade. esta é a quarta. no mínimo. […]
[…] […]
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
[…] (Vía Pink Tentacle) […]
[…] Device uses waves to “print” on water surface 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. […]
[…] Pink Tentacle (tags: cool engineering) […]
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.
[…] http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/07/device-uses-waves-to-print-on-water-surface/ […]
[…] While I can’t think of any practical applications right now, this is just cool. Anyone want to go watch The Abyss? […]
cure disease, prevent hurricanes, Sunamis and natural ccuring disasters. Then draw your pretty images. Please.
[…] I remember using the expression “You can write that down on water” so many times. I guess I’ll have to eat my words. Apparently, as this article explains with photographic proof, it is now possible to write on water using waves!! […]
[…] [source] […]
[…] […]
[…] Another old link here you might already have seen a few months back and it passed me by, but now it seems theres a device which can ‘print’ on the surface of water by producing and controlling a series of small waves and ripples. […]
Man your such nerds.
Enjoy it for what it is.
i think do what it takes to save lives and not on some other crap
[…] […]
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.
[…] 1. Device uses waves to “print” on water surface — AMOEBA (Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin) writes on water. Check out this short video of AMOEBA in action. […]
They should make it larger and sell peace’s of ocean as advertising space on google earth!!
[…] مثل نقش برآب زدن مثالی است که برای نشان دادن ناپایداری و بی ثباتی رخدادی بکار میرود. اما خوب اگر تابحال این مثل خیلی مصداق داشت الان با کاری که جناب پروفسور شینگرو نایتو در دانشگاه اوزاکای ژاپن انجام داده است دیگر مثال بی مثالی هم نیست این مثل!!!ایشان با استفاده از 50 عدد ژنراتور تولید موج در یک تانکر آب با قطر 1.6 متری و عمق 30 سانتیمتری با استفاده از محاسبات توابع بسل که حتما! آنها را از دوره دانشگاه و دبیرستان به خاطر دارید ، با محاسبه تداخل امواج حروف و اشکال ثابتی را بر آب ایجاد کرده است زمان لازم برای ایجاد هر شکل هم تنها 3 ثانیه است و بعد از شکل تشکیل شده کاملاً پایدار و ثابت خواهد ماند. […]
[…] In case you are curious to know how it works, Pink Tentacle has a more detailed review of this strange and expensive toy. Akishima Laboratories expects the technology to be incorporated into decorative fountains, in combination with sound and light effects. It can make a wonderful decoration for hotels or water parks. When I first saw it, my first thought was that it’s useless; I had no clue what could be the functionality of such a machine. […]
[…] found on pink tentacle […]
[…] Un tas vēl būtu sīkums tad, kad mēs ar viļņiem iemācīsimies attēlot a-da-jebko. Nu tā, uz ūdens virsmas, lai superpārsteigtu visus ieinteresētos. Lai skaisti visu sazīmētu, starp viļņu burtu attēlošanu ir jāpaiet 15 - 30 sekundēm. Nu nez, gan jau kaut ko izdomās. Paņems blīvāku šķidrumu. Žēl tikai, ka video tik nekvalitatīvs. Device uses waves to «print» on water surface. […]
[…] Den Text und das Video findet ihr hier. […]
[…] Como bien podéis ver en la imágen es real, o eso parece, si encuentro algun video tambien lo pondré que quieras que no es más creible. Podéis leer más aquí pero en ingles. […]
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.
[…] l`impression par vaguelettes et sans les mains Categorie Sciences (par Cif!, Thursday 27 July 2006 @16:03) Qu’est-ce qu’on doitbien rigoler alors au Japon pendant les wacances. Des chercheurs auraient développé une machine à faire des dessins sur l’eau (et sans les mains !) […]
[…] http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/07/device-uses-waves-to-print-on-water-surface/ […]
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?
Maybe they could make a pocket size for swimmers that spell out (HELP I’M DROWNING ).
very nice
[…] interact in a precise way that can create the entire Roman alphabet on the surface of water. This article will […]
Hi, I started a collection of strange printing devices … I added this one as well.
Have fun.
Looks very cool. The videos are down though :( would have loved to have seen one
[…] Japonya’da bulunan Akishima Laboratuvarları araştırmacıları, Osaka Üniversitesi’nden profesör Shigeru Naito ile çalışıp, suyun yüzeyine küçük dalgalar oluşturarak yazı ve resim şeklini yapabilen bir cihaz üzerine çalışıyorlarmış. AMOEBA (Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin) adındaki bu cihaz, 1.6 metre çapında ve 30 cm derinliğinde (çocuk havuzu kadar) silindirik bir tanktan oluşuyor ve etrafında 50 adet su dalgası jeneratörleri bulunuyor. Piksele denk gelen boyutları oluşturmak için kontrollü bir şekilde aşağıya ve ileriye hareketlerle eşzamanlı bir şekilde silindirik dalgalar oluşturuyor. Pikseller, 10 cm çapında ve 4 cm yüksekliğindeki ölçülerle form çizgilerini ve biçimlerini yaratıyor. AMOEBA tüm roman karakterleri ve bazı basit kanji (Japon harfi) karakterlerini heceleyebiliyor. Her harf ya da resim sadece bir dakikalık bir zamana kadar yüzeyde kalabiliyor, ama başarılı olabilmesi için her 3 saniyede bir tekrardan dalgaların üretilmesi gerekiyor. via […]
[…] Осаки пишут по воде, правда, не вилами. Они придумали AMOEBA (Advanced Multiple Organized Experimental Basin). Аббревиатура почти не […]
[…] the Pink Tentacle Blog: Researchers at Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen), working in conjunction with professor Shigeru […]