The Thermochromic Clock Tells Time Using Heat
Souzan Michael — July 20, 2011 — Tech
Forget clocks that tell you what time it is using LCDs, LEDs or mechanical hands; the Thermochromic Clock uses changes in temperature to tell time. The clock was created by Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy, who are designers at CW&T, a multidisciplinary workplace that specializes in "architectural design, product design, custom electronics, custom software, robotics, and web programming/design."
The Thermochromic Clock works by taking nichrome wire and covering it in heat-sensitive black paint. When you add power to the wires, causing an electric current, they naturally heat up; this makes them transparent and therefore visible against the black screen of the clock. As the wires cool down, the numbers fade to black once again. To reset the clock, all you have to do is wipe down the screen with a cool cloth.
The Thermochromic Clock works by taking nichrome wire and covering it in heat-sensitive black paint. When you add power to the wires, causing an electric current, they naturally heat up; this makes them transparent and therefore visible against the black screen of the clock. As the wires cool down, the numbers fade to black once again. To reset the clock, all you have to do is wipe down the screen with a cool cloth.
Trend Themes
1. Thermochromic Timepieces - Design innovative clocks that use temperature-sensitive materials to tell time and disrupt traditional timekeeping methods.
2. Nichrome Wire Technology - Explore opportunities to use nichrome wire, a highly conductive material, in various electronic applications beyond heating elements.
3. Multidisciplinary Workplace - Incorporate product design, custom electronics, and web programming/design into traditional architectural design services, creating a more comprehensive and innovative design firm.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - Introduce electronic gadgets that use heat-sensitive materials to display information, creating an entirely new category of products.
2. Luxury Watches - Incorporate thermochromic technology into high-end watches, creating a unique selling point for luxury consumers seeking innovative timepieces.
3. Smart Home Systems - Integrate thermochromic technology into smart home systems to create smart clocks that can change the color of the numbers based on the user's preference or mood.
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