Title: Sustainable Physical Intelligence: a piece of interactive material’s circular life-design, use, dispose

Date: Monday, April 3, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

Location (in-person): CODA C1315

Location (remote): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9838488406?pwd=T3laZmNmazVDTXpLUmtDcU0yVzljQT09

Tingyu Cheng

PhD Student in Human-centered Computing

School of Interactive Computing

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee:

Dr. Gregory D. Abowd (co-advisor), College of Engineering, Northeastern University, USA and School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA 

Dr. Hyunjoo Oh (co-advisor), School of Interactive Computing & School of Industrial Design, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA 

Dr. Thad Starner, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

Dr. Josiah Hester, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

Dr. Carmel Majidi, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, USA

Dr. Sean Follmer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, USA

Abstract:

Weiser has predicted the third generation of computing would result in individuals interacting with many computing devices and ultimately can “weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it” However, how to achieve this seamlessness and what associated interaction should be developed are still under investigation. On the other hand, for achieving a fully immersive intelligent environment, we might produce trillions of smart devices, but their current configuration (e.g., plastic housing, PCB-board) will inevitably increase environment burden. In my research, I work on creating computational materials with different encoded material properties (e.g., conductivity, transparency, water-solubility, self-assembly, etc.) that can be seamlessly integrated into our living environment to enrich different modalities of information communication, and meanwhile the material intelligence will affect devices' usefulness from a sustainability perspective (e.g., device life time).

In this thesis proposal, I present four finished works to scope the future pervasiveness of IoT devices, and meanwhile paying attention to their entire device life cycle. They emphasize different aspects that are crucial to construct the sustainable physical intelligence enabled environment. Silver Tape is a simple fabrication technique leveraging the inkjet printing circuits to transfer silver traces onto everyday surfaces without any post-treatment. This method allows users to quickly fabricate versatile sensors by leveraging the intrinsic material property (e.g., heat-resistive) and meanwhile the transferred sensors can be repaired when damaged (IMWUT20). Duco is the second project that negates the need for any human intervention by leveraging a hanging robotic system that automatically sketches large-scale circuity. We have explored not only how to incorporate these computational abilities into our living structures, but also created erasable ink that allows users to erase the circuitry and embed the surface with new capabilities (IMWUT21). PITAS is a thin-sheet robotic material composed of a reversible phase transition actuating layer and a heating/sensing layer to create shape-changing devices that can locally or remotely convey physical information such as shape, color, texture and temperature changes. A distinctive renewal process can be accomplished by immersing the material-actuator in ethanol, allowing the devices with new life (CHI22). My most recent project Functional Destruction aims to further promote sustainability by designing devices that self-destruct once they have fulfilled their purpose (CHI23).

Lastly, I propose one additional study to extend the idea from Functional Destruction by developing fully recyclable circuits that can be recycled even after disintegration. Also, I will integrate our fully recyclable electronics with battery-free energy harvesting platforms that can directly gather energy from the environment (e.g., light, wind) or human interaction (e.g., press, touch).