UltraSurfaces: A new material design vision

Abstract

We introduce UltraSurfaces (USs), a new material design vision taking advantage of the latest developments in Electronic and Smart Materials, and their integration in layered substrates and other materials. The USs can detect phenomena in the environment, record and exchange data while being controlled by remote technologies, interact with users by changing their physical properties, like color, form, sound or light emission, and providing feedback to the user. The USs go a step further than ubiquitous IoT, smart products and environments, enabling new potentialities for any surface to be applied in Future Scenarios of spaces and products. Adopting a Human and User-Centered Design approach, we have been envisioned two Future Scenarios and concepts to convey a better understanding of USs, as well as their potentiality for applications and user’s appreciation. We aim to catch the interest of material industries and highlight the challenges design is facing in exploiting the new hybrid materiality of USs.