Algae Alight

Abstract

Incorporating living microorganisms in artifacts offers opportunities for novel modes of expression and interaction. Bioluminescent algae are unicellular microorganisms that produce light in response to kinetic stimuli and have been a focus of design and HCI research when exploring expressivity of living media. This study advances prior work using bioluminescent algae through designing and engineering a Living Light Interface comprising of bio-kinetic pixels. The resulting interactive system translates digital input into the biological domain by modulating the bioluminescent mechanism and creating different pixel states. The kinetic design of the vibration module uses adjustable weights to induce a wide range of lighting patterns. The hardware design is coupled with organism-centric algorithms, which allow for the generation of dynamic light patterns across the interface. The paper provides a comprehensive visual narrative of a design process that brings these living organisms to the forefront of our technological imagination, blurring the boundaries between biology, algorithmic control, and tangible interfaces.