Project Description
"Leaky Haptix" investigates the invisible energy of the built environment, challenging the visual dominance of traditional urban analysis. The objective is to prototype a methodology for "reading" the city through audio-tactile means, specifically focusing on the vibrations, frequencies, and electromagnetic activity of Milwaukee’s industrial valley. The research methodology is experimental and interdisciplinary, blending fabrication with fieldwork: 1. Hardware Prototyping: We will assemble custom, low-voltage sensor kits (including contact microphones, electromagnetic sniffers, and geophones) capable of detecting structural resonance. 2. Fieldwork: Treating the city as a "living lab," we will deploy these sensors on publicly accessible infrastructure to capture audio data from materials like steel bridge cables and factory concrete. 3. Data Translation: We will convert this raw audio data into "sonic profiles" and visual maps. This moves beyond standard mapping to visualize the invisible characteristics—the "leaks" and hums—of the architectural site.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The semester is organized into three distinct phases to ensure safety and technical competency. Weeks 1–3 (Hardware Bootcamp): Students will receive training in soldering, circuit assembly, and signal flow, building their own sensor kits using tools such as the KOMA Field Kit. No prior engineering degree is required; the mentor will provide all technical instruction. Weeks 4–10 (Fieldwork & Collection): Students will conduct coordinated site visits to the Milwaukee Industrial Valley. Responsibilities include attaching sensors to various architectural surfaces to record resonant frequencies and maintaining a "Field Log" of locations and material conditions. Weeks 11–15 (Translation & Guide): Students will process their recordings and translate the data into a "Workflow Guide." Tasks include creating diagrams that explain how to use the sensors and producing a digital library of "site sounds" for the UWM Research Symposium
Desired Qualifications
None listed.