Ceramic Circuits

Glazed ceramic is a versatile material that we use every day. For a long time, humans have harnessed its many qualities to create both practical and decorative objects at various scales. This includes everything from dining and kitchenware to home and architectural fixtures. Rather than develop new electronic devices, what if we could use these everyday ceramic objects as computational interfaces?

This research presents a new approach for integrating interactive circuits into glazed ceramic ware. By selectively carving traces on the surface of glazed ceramic objects and filling them with conductive ink, we transformed everyday objects into interfaces and smart devices that can participate in daily activities. Our approach was developed in collaboration with Hans Tan, a designer who works with sandblasting to transform heritage porcelain objects in Singapore into contemporary art pieces. We built upon his technique to incorporate functional electronic circuits into existing ceramic objects.

Our approach has enabled us to create a range of interactive artifacts that are based on common ceramic object archetypes. These include touch-sensing tableware, temperature-sensing tiles, and moisture-sensing planters. Additionally, we have applied heating elements directly onto dining vessels to keep food warm or even cook it.

Authors
Clement Zheng
Han Bo
Liu Xin
Laura Devendorf
Hans Tan
Yen Ching-Chiuan

Assistants
Wina Nashita
Serene Tan
Travis Ong

Press
Forging New Frontiers
Dezeen

CHI 2023

Paper

Approach: Ceramic object is masked and sandblasted. Conductive ink is applied manually into the recessed traces, and excess ink is scraped off

Detail: cross section of sandblasted trace. Scraping off excess ink from a tile

Example Applications

1—Moisture Sensing Planter

2—Touch Sensing Dining Ware

3—Temperature Sensing Tile

4—Moisture Sensing Tile

5—Heated Plate

5—Heated Plate cooking a raw egg