Device allows the surface of water to be the canvas.

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 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. The device 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.

SOURCE:
PinkTentacle

Pretty cool device.
I can see a big market for it in the art and media markets.


Comments, Opinions?

4000 years into the future, man kind will look at the oceans from space and see all sorts of wierd figures and depictions in the water.

Then they wonder if the people who created the Nasca lines created these water figures too :p

This is pritty cool, requires some rather hefty and low latency control system.

thats pretty cool. would be cooler if it could rotate 90 degrees or maybe make a 3d water sculpture.