This course will investigate how new (and ancient) materials are changing our understanding and experience of technology. We will explore how the rich and varied material landscape around us can be integrated into interaction design. Through research assignments and hands on projects students will investigate the electrical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties of a range of different materials including shape changing metals, conductive inks, and chemical sensing composites. The course will be organized around four topics: conductors, inputs, outputs, and computation. Students will complete weekly assignments and a final project.
Professor: Leah Buechley (leah at media.mit.edu)
Location: E14-493, MIT Media Lab
Time: Tuesdays 3-6pm
Lab hours: Thursdays and Fridays 1-6pm
Course number: MAS S62, 12 units, H level