The ThermoVector uses two thermistors to measure temperature at distinct points, translating the differential into a visual display of heat exchange direction and intensity along a string of lights. By varying speed, color and direction, the lights articulate the magnitude (how much), average heat, and direction (from warmer to cooler) of thermal energy flow, creating a dynamic, real-time representation of environmental conditions. Measurements collected by the device were used to map temperature movement around a tree on-site as the sun set.
The sensor was built using acrylic, steel bolts, and an Adafruit DotStar LED strip. The software stack for creating the sensor and visualizing the data included C++, Python, Rhino, R, Adobe Suite, and Arduino Cloud.
This project was completed for VIS2470: Atmospheric Encounters at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design in Fall 2024, taught by Craig Douglas