Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Portable Three-dimensional Waterfall Graphic Print
Technology Category/Market
Category- Electronics & Circuits / Green Technology
Industry Classification:
Display Technology ; Entertainment & Event Production ; Advertising & Digital Signage; Automation & Control Systems
Applications:
Signs, lighting, data communication and other signaling, display media, advertisement, patterns & images; advertisements in shopping malls, museums and entertainment shows ; Fountains
Market report:
The global 3D Display market is projected to grow from USD 78.05 Billion in 2024 to USD 260.7 Billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 16.27%
Image Gallery
Problem Statement
- LED displays are prone to color shifts, environmental pollution, frequent replacements, and high costs due to temperature effects and damage from high electrical currents.
- Moreover, Current three-dimensional waterfall graphic systems use solenoid valves and microcontrollers but are not portable and often limited in controlling a large number of valves.
- There is a need for a portable, bi-color waterfall graphic print device that uses water as a display medium, controlled through advanced microcontrollers and solid-state devices.
Technology
- The system features a cylindrical screen using falling water controlled by solenoid valves, driven by a pre-programmed Arduino microcontroller and custom PCBs for image display.
- Images are converted to binary data and stored on an SD card. A custom algorithm and OpenCV are used to convert images, enabling continuous pattern generation.
- A series of solenoid valves control water flow in the display. The solenoids are activated by the Arduino via shift registers, opto-couplers, and TRIAC for precise ON/OFF control
- The system uses a simple Arduino UNO, TRIAC, and shift registers to control 136 solenoid valves. (16 per board) This setup reduces complexity and improves reliability compared to traditional LED displays.
Key Features/Value Proposition
- Uses falling water controlled by solenoid valves for displaying 3D graphics, offering a unique and dynamic visual compared to conventional static LED displays.
- Unlike LED displays, the water-based system requires less maintenance, utilizes water (a renewable resource), and uses far fewer electronic components, making it more eco-friendly.
- The system operates with fewer electrical components compared to LEDs, consuming less power and being more energy-efficient, making it more sustainable in the long run.
- Unlike LED systems with numerous electronic components, this device uses a minimal number of components (Arduino, shift registers, TRIAC), reducing complexity and maintenance needs.
- The modular and compact design, with water circulation and a cylindrical screen, makes the technology easily portable and scalable for use in various applications like museums and exhibitions.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research Lab
Deepanath C
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Adhitya M
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
K Pravllika
Department of Civil Engineering
Chelamkuri Omsrinath
Department of Civil Engineering
Gautam GVS
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Siddartha Tadepalli
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Rohith T
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Vineet Thumuluri
Department of Electrical Engineering
Yogesh Gawade
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Prasanth Inavolu
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref 1639
- IN 544009 Patent Granted
Technology Readiness Level
TRL 9
Actual System Proven in operational environment