Tamara Chuchuk, a 4th year student at the NSU Department of Physics, developed a simple and easy-to-implement folding system for creating pseudo-holograms on laptops with any screen size. It consists of several elements: a laptop, a stand, a sliding unit with a reflective transparent screen, and a computer application that converts the video to play in the appropriate mode.
Chuchuk discussed her work,
The project is based on the phenomenon of anamorphosis, which was used in the theaters of Ancient Rome. Although, instead of plexiglass, the Romans used a well-stretched transparent fabric, the actors were under the stage, and the audience saw their projection. I figured out how to apply this effect using modern technical equipment. The system for creating pseudo-holograms resembles miniature pyramids that are placed on the screen of a smartphone to obtain a three-dimensional image. In addition to the tetrahedral installation, I made another one based on the anamorphosis phenomenon with a conical screen.
The base of the installation layout was made according to Chuchuk’s specifications by masters at the Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS. The computer application was created by Nikita Vorozhbitov, a student at the NSU Department of Mathematics and Mechanics and Chuchuk’s husband Sergey assembled the structure. The project was self-funded and completed with the help of volunteers. Chuchuk worked on the installation in her spare time and noted that the project has nothing to do with her thesis.
Chuchuk hopes to start mass production of her installation since it has numerous practical applications. For example, in the field of education, it can be used to visually present the structure of various astronomical objects, atoms, and molecules to schoolchildren. However, prior to promoting her invention for production, the physicist will explore the potential market as well as modernize the system with the help of a 600 thousand ruble grant she won in the "First Step" scientific development competition.
Chuchuk explained,
Unfortunately, my installation only works well in the dark. We know how to refine it with the help of translucent mirrors, and then it will be possible to project anything on it, even football matches. The application also needs to be improved because although the objects “hang” in the air, they remain flat. If you remove the background, our brain will “finish” them in a 3D format. So far, I've set it to laptop size, but it can be larger - even work for the largest screens. You also need a 3D printer - the current metal structure is very heavy, I would like to lighten it. When we finish all of these adjustments, the project will have commercial potential.
