2021 • Computational Design • 3D Printing
The interface is created by growing conductive salt crystals in saturated solution, allowing the crystals to form according to natural aggregation patterns rather than predetermined design. The crystalline structure inherently conducts electricity, enabling touch detection through capacitance changes when a finger approaches or contacts the surface. A microcontroller monitors the crystal's electrical properties, amplifying and translating the minute vibrations and conductivity changes into responsive feedback. The crystal can be completely dissolved back into solution and regrown in different forms, creating a truly circular material lifecycle that produces no electronic waste. This approach demonstrates how biological growth processes can generate functional electronic components, allowing nature to act as designer and manufacturer. The piece exists within the Beyond Biomimicry collection, exploring forms more ancient than humans while pointing toward sustainable technological futures. 
