Thinking/Creating with Active Materials

EL lamp on Dialectric Elastomer

An experiment showing potential for DIY shape changing light emitting membranes.

Through a combination of a dielectric elastomer, conductive and phosphor inks it was possible to paint a functioning electroluminescent lamp a flexible membrane. This simple experiment suggests a potential for the combination of EAP and EL to produce DIY displays that are both stretchable and self-actuating i.e a digital display that changes it’s form based on electrical activation. Aside from practical applications, there is a great potential for aesthetic exploration of these soft, transparent displays and actuators.