A Fluid Simulation Made from Thousands of Physical Flip Dots Makes Its Own Sound as It Moves
FLIP Fluid is a large display that simulates moving liquid using thousands of electromechanical flip dots that physically switch between black and white. Because the pixels themselves move, the flowing image naturally produces a rippling mechanical sound instead of relying on added audio.
For EMF2026, eight panels were combined into a large installation with a joystick labeled “GRAVITY CONTROL” that changes the direction of gravity in the simulation. Creator mitxela says the large panel cost under £500, excluding donated parts and labor.
Instead of adding a speaker to make a fluid simulation sound physical, the display itself is made from thousands of moving parts. The screen has become its own sound-effects system.