Hasta La Gadget!

Interactive designer Graham Plumb has created a stunning 3D interface that projects beams of light beaming through a transparent cube filled with water and “a specially formulated emulsion.” The effect are three-dimensional structures constructed out of pure light that he dubs the Reactive Cube (click through for video of them in action).

Like music or fashion, new tech ideas often start as some high-minded proof-of-concept exercise. While not meant for the consumption of the masses, the ideas filter down into everyday use: think Apple’s transparent and translucent iMacs of the early aughts. While this particular interface may never find its way into personal computers or mobile phones anytime soon, it seems like it could be tweaked and fiddled to perform public display duties. Imagine a mall fountain with glowing ads swimming around, or a three-dimensional interactive map encased in a cube in a museum foyer.

via Make