Pipedream III is a high resolution embolograph (bubble raster) I created for the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Canada. It was installed in June, 2006. Like my earlier Pipedream pieces, Pipedream III has a set of vertical tubes filled with mineral oil. Using a series of pneumatic servos controlled by computer I can inject small bubbles which slowly float up the tube as light dots.

Unlike Pipedream I and II, this model has 96 tubes, each of a smaller diameter. With this setup and some elaborate software, I can create clear images (i.e. a bubble raster). To take advantage of this, I scanned in some iconic photos to display, while Alan built a webcam station which allows museum-goers to have their picture projected on the wall as 50 feet of bubbles.

A few sample shots:

Churchill

Alan, my collaborator (picture taken from webcam station nearby)

I have also included the design, prototyping and installation process for Pipedream III:

Pre-Installation Prototyping

As a proof-of-concept I built a prototype with 96 pipes, approximately 8' wide and 25' high. I then used the prototype for testing programs to rasterize images and display them as bubbles.

Some early results (the face you may not recognize is my daughter):

Installation Process

Some pictures from the rather laborious installation in June:

		The empty space, in the new Weston Innovation Centre.
		Jeff and Alan, slaving away...
		...everything has to be done 96 times.
		Tuning each tube (so the bubble will reach the top in the same amount of time)
		More tuning...
		The tubes are tuned, and the new LED's are nice.