BubBowl – a simple display in your drink!

Reading time: < 1 min. Don’t you just love having a nice cup of fresh and aromatic coffee in the morning while reading your favorite newspaper? In the future, you might be able to drink a cup of your favorite newspaper while reading a freshly ground coffee… wait, what?

The researchers of the Ochanomizu University of Tokio managed to develop a small dot matrix, with the dimensions of 10x10px, that displays images on the surface of your favorite beverage. The device makes use of electrolysis to work. Inside of the cup with beverage is a matrix with cathodes, which are able to selectively produce a gas that creates signs, letters, or numbers on the beverage’s surface.

The device is controlled using Arduino, along with a shift register to increase the number of available ports. The liquid (eg. our favorite coffee), works as a common anode, connected to a 9V battery. The current required for the electrolysis process is controlled by MOSFET transistors. You can actually safely drink the liquid inside – however, it does require adding a bit of baking soda to improve conductivity. The whole device is also equipped with sensors that cut off the current whenever you take a sip to avoid electrocution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDoqyS9K7NE&feature=youtu.be

The circuit can display up to four digits, allowing you to show, for example, the current time or the LOVE letters on your drink. Let’s hope Mrs. Ayaka Ishii and Mr. Itiro Siio will be able to develop their product, allowing us to finally read our coffee in the future.