3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Electrick: New Touch Responsive Technology Derived From 3D Printed Materials
qidi

Electrick: New Touch Responsive Technology Derived From 3D Printed Materials

May 9, 2017

A new study from Carnegie Mellon University has shown how 3D printed materials have the potential to serve as touch sensitive systems with the use of electrodes. The study used Electric Field Tomography to create a human-machine interface. Researchers 3D printed their objects using a low-cost carbon black ABS. The ABS serves as an interactive, touch-sensing item once it is coated in a conductive material layer.

3d Printed PVDF sensor and production sensor
Related Story
PVDF Filament Printing Guide

Electrick Process

Firstly, conductive coating is applied to the material. This coating then serves as an electrical conductor for whatever surface you desire. It is also possible to paint over the coating for aesthetic purposes. Additional paint does not affect the conductivity of the original conductive coating.

Next, add electrodes to the desired interactive area. The electrodes inject a small current into the conductive layer. These currents serve as signals that the user can alter through contact which shunts the current, thus sending commands to a computer. The researchers created a tomographic field to further enable accurate touch sensing fields.

The method enables touch sensitivity and continuous touch tracking. This means that it can perform all of the functions of a touchscreen. It is, as of now, unknown whether it enables pressure sensitivity. The researchers then attached various command prompts to the electrodes and assigned tasks to them.

The video below shows the process in depth:

Electrick Applications

The process has many implications for the field of electronics. Firstly, it alters the way in which we can assign touch technology. Using this conductive technology, most 3D printed objects can serve as touch sensitive items. This allows users to print their own touch pads and keyboards which minimal effort.

Another reason this is a major breakthrough, is that it alters the way we think about touch technology. Touch technology can now be a peripheral node outside of the main device using a few connections. Due to the nature of this technology, users can apply new touch tech or repair their old ones on the spot.

It also has implications for the software side of the equation. As shown in the video above, with the right software or application, people can turn any surface into a guitar effects processor rig or a drum pad. In many ways it extends smartphone touch-screen capabilities to the wider region of physical objects. In essence, it can transform anything into a keyboard or a touch-pad.

The research paper is titled “Electrick: Low-Cost Touch Sensing Using Electric Field Tomography”. If you’re interested in reading the whole study it is available here on co-author Chris Harrison’s website.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures

HeyGears demonstrated its Multi-Material Fusion resin 3D printed dentures at LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2025. The technology uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) photopolymerization... read more »

Dental
HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures at Chicago Lab Event

3D Printed Modular Column “Duality of Skin and Core” Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

A 3D printed modular column titled "Duality of Skin and Core" is currently on display at the Venice Biennale 2025 as part of... read more »

Art
3D Printed Modular Column "Duality of Skin and Core" Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

Bentley Motors has revealed its EXP 15 concept vehicle at the opening of its new design studio in Crewe. The five-meter concept model... read more »

Automotive
Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

COBOD International has introduced what it describes as the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, developed in collaboration with Technische Universität Braunschweig. The... read more »

Construction
COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

MIT researchers have developed an implantable device that can automatically release glucagon when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low in Type 1 diabetes... read more »

Medical
MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

University of Pennsylvania Researchers Develop Carbon-Capturing Concrete

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new type of concrete that captures carbon dioxide while maintaining structural integrity. The material... read more »

Construction

Dutch 3D Printing Startup Novenda Technologies Raises $6.1M for Dental Manufacturing Platform

Dutch startup Novenda Technologies has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding to advance its multi-material 3D printing platform for dental products. The... read more »

Dental

Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Singapore-based startup Unigons has launched a limited collection of 3D-printed Merlion figurines made from recycled plastic bottles. The company produced 60 pieces of... read more »

News
Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing