Images and film have been projected onto bubbles in a move that could have a significant effect on the live events and visitor attraction industries. Soap film, used by a researcher at the University of Tokyo, is being dubbed as the world's thinnest screen and could be employed to create illusionary-type images, similar to those produced using the Pepper's ghost technique
Yoichi Ochiai, from the University of Tokyo has worked with researchers from
Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Tsukuba to demonstrate how ultrasonic
sound waves can control the transparency of the bubble, which is created from
a colloidal solution. The transparent properties of the film can be utilised to
create a 3D screen using multiple membranes but one projector.
Controlling the
transparency means surface texture and reflectance can be altered to create realistic material
surfaces.
Furthermore, objects can be passed through the screen without breaking the membrane
opening the doors to interactive applications.
The team will present the new
technology in August at Siggraph 2012, Los Angeles, USA.
Further information can be found on Yoichi Ochiai’s blog