Research Group Projects and Descriptions

The Ecology Media Group explores the potential of computational media as access point to natural systems and global ecology. We work to integrate sensors, digital signal processing technologies, and networked communication infrastructures in providing meaningful interactions with natural environments.

This work consists of two projects. The first, a hypersonic sound system, collects outdoor impressions and transforms them into lush and soothing indoor atmospheres. The second, Aural Augmentation, pipes in natural environment sounds into an interior space.

Broadcasting and recording bird vocalizations through cell-phone networks is a simple yet powerful idea with strong repercussions in conservation projects, born out of the need to automate and facilitate bird population surveys. Of concern is the broadcast quality bird-song analysis and synthesis that can leverage the cell channels for transmission. This work aims to extract environmental information from vocalization recordings through cell-phone networks.

This project is a self-sustaining sculptural installation that depicts the changes in outside weather conditions. By means of a simple mechanical system and smart materials, the sculpture responds to precipitation, light, and temperature to move colored glass panels into a wall of ever-changing designs, additionally creating awareness of the passage of time.

Jazz music is difficult to analyze harmonically because it purposefully uses ambiguous harmonies during improvisation. This project aims to understand its harmony from the vantage of three levels: time-frequency analysis beyond the estimation of individual notes, understanding of chord sequences, and knowledge stemming from the broader context of jazz music. One measure of this project's success will be when the harmonic analysis can automatically generate a walking bass accompaniment.

The Rainwater Wall augments and demonstrates the natural process of rainwater collection and dispersal. It is a freestanding wall that holds water storage bubbles and planters. Rainwater is collected on the roof, distributed by tubing to storage bubbles, and released to plants or returned to the earth. The wall constantly changes due to water retention and plant growth. The bubble wall is a manifestation of the temporal and physical processes of the exterior environment in the form of an interior micro-environment.

This project illustrates the shared spaces and resources between urban wildlife and citizens. It presents interactive tools to enhance human knowledge of our urban wildlife surroundings, as well as methods for mapping ambient devices to outdoor urban-wildlife-generated events.

A designated room in the Media Lab will be equipped with a module that includes an occupancy sensor, speakers, and processor. This apparatus will produce an acoustic space that reflects the activity of squirrels when they don’t detect human presence. It is possible to trick your imaginary friend into coming out when room is occupied, but the occupant must be very still and silent.