04/11/2009

A team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created electronically enhanced wallpaper that can be used to activate household objects.

The wallpaper can be connected up to lights, heaters and music systems and uses magnetic and conductive paints to create circuits in attractive designs.

It uses a base of acrylic paint that has been infused with iron particles to make it more magnetic. Designs are then painted over this with conductive paint that is made with copper particles instead. These designs will then form circuits to which other devices, such as lights, can be attached.

Leah Buechley, who is in charge of the 'living wall' project, said in an interview with New Scientist that her goal was 'to make technologies that users can build on and change without needing a lot of technical skill'.

Ms Buechley said that her design was 'really just a sheet of paper' that can easily be reproduced 'with existing printing and construction methods'.

Leab Buechley, an assistant professor at MIT media lab, directs the high-low tech research group who created the project.

The group explores the integration of advanced and basic technologies from various perspectives as a way to inspire groups to create their own technology.