Fig. 2: Tuning shading coverage by actively controlling pigment morphology.
From: Decapod-inspired pigment modulation for active building facades
a–c Schematic of a single fluidic cell, with no pigment fluid coverage (a), unbranched pigment fluid coverage (b), and branched pigment fluid coverage (c). System components: (i) digitally controlled peristaltic pump; (ii) inward fluidic pigment flow with pressure; (iii) active fluidic pigment layer, 1 mm thick; (iv) first rigid plate; (v) outer gasket; (vi) second rigid plate; (vii) drain tubing for temporary fluid displacement. d Demonstrating the branching of pigment fluid when introduced at higher speed. e Inlet design: (i) needle; (ii) luer connector; (iii) hose connector. f Reversible pigment injection/withdrawal, where degree of branching is determined by injection flow rate (Q) from 0.5–30 mL/min. Scale bar is 15 cm. g Fluid coverage as a function of time for experiments pictured in (f). h The number of fluidic branches increases with flow rate. All measurements taken once pigment fluid fully dispersed. i–k Overlayed images of pigment fluid dispersal over time for three different flow rates. Scale bar is 5 cm. l–n Cyclical light transmission measurements across three pigment fluid dispersal and contraction cycles. Images represent first cycle. Light intensity varies for each system at full actuation. Because maximum light intensity was set to 100 lux, plots in (l–n) additionally display relative measured interior light intensity behind each cell in lux.
