Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 136-139). / Between traditional industrial design, which operates at the macro scale (cm to m), and material engineering, which operates at the micro/nano scale ([mu]m to nm), is the emerging design space of the mesoscale. While the definition of mesoscale varies across disciplines, mesoscale materials are usually considered to be in between the molecular and macroscopic length scale. It is the scale of human hair or a grain of sand. It is the scale where material properties meet human perception, and the rational meets intuition. In the past 10 years, additive manufacturing, especially 3D printing, has enabled designers to directly manipulate geometries at this scale. Yet existing design and manufacturing approach have not been able to unleash the full potential of mesoscale materials for the design world. This thesis proposes computational tools and an additive manufacturing apparatus to enable the creation and fabrication of materials at the mesoscale. / The ability to programmably assemble materials with tailored structures at the centimeter, millimeter, and micrometer length scales enables tunable mechanical and electrical properties. Those properties determine not only the static performance, but also, when energized, the dynamic behavior of a material. The emerging material performance and behavior allows us to design unprecedented objects and environments with input (sensing) and output (actuation) capabilities, which can be integrated for the next generation of interaction design. I first introduces three translations to bridge a material's microscopic properties with macroscopic interface design. Four research projects (bioLogic, KinetiX, SensorKnit, and Cilllia) are presented to embody the translation. I then propose an implementation workflow for additive manufacturing of mesoscopic materials. The implementation will be presented based on my ongoing research project Cilllia, 3D printed functional hair structures. / Cilllia investigates a scalable digital representation of hierarchical tunable materials, a CAD software interface for material design, and a DLP-based 3D printer that allows for continuous material production. The tools for creating Cilllia can be expanded to other types of architected mesoscale materials. Four examples will be presented. Together, they support the vision of a general digital description and physical production system for architected mesoscale materials. / by Jifei Ou. / Ph. D. / Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages [95]-104). / If Waste is Information, what can be learned from an understanding of waste management at MIT as a complex information system? Through engaging people with their role within a waste system, can relations to and practices of waste management change? This thesis presents a case study for making and evaluating context-driven and critical civic games in partnership with local organisations. Working with waste management and sustainability efforts on campus, I explore issues with waste at MIT as a 'crisis of representation', drawing on ideas from systems theory, participatiory urbanism, environmental psychology and game design to develop a new 'systems image' of waste on campus. Through two controlled studies, I examine the potentials and limitations of such work for changing attitudes and behaviours, and the pitfalls of attempting to separate educational interventions from their infrastructural context. More generally, this project contributes to an understanding of how we might use participatory, critical and exploratory games to make legible complex civic systems, and the role of that legibility in changing both individuals, and the systems themselves. / by Agnes Fury Cameron. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 75-86). / This thesis introduces BioResonant interfaces, which bidirectionally communicate with the user's body to provide information on their physiological state. This facilitates regulation of their stress levels and ultimately a more mindful daily life. Based on the principle of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and physiological synchronization, the BioResonant interface is designed to stimulate at the subconscious level using subliminal tactile biofeedback. Through this process, the user's physiological state can be aligned with their desired state. I present three different forms of the BioResonant Interface, a wearable device, a cushion, and a kinetic display, which utilize either heart rate (HR) or breathing rate (BR), or both. I present their fabrication, design, and evaluation method in the following interaction scale order: local interaction with the skin; general interaction with the body; and embodied interaction with the environment. / First, I introduce a mobile heart rate rhythmic regulator-ambienBeat-which provides subtle tactile stimulus. This wearable device in the form of a watch monitors heart rate and interacts with the skin in the wrist area. Second, I explore using both types of real-time biometric data-HR and BR-to regulate physiological state. somaPneu, an actuating cushion the size of an adult's upper body, provides two different forms of tactile stimulus simultaneously by changing its volume and generating a pulse. In contrast to ambienBeat, somaPneu interacts with the broader somatosensory system of the user's body. Lastly, I present a kinetic display-reSpire-which regulates users' breathing patterns through embodied tangible interactions with their inner state and with people around them. It encourages them to perform dynamic body motions to interact with the shape-changing fabrics that represent their own BR. / This thesis closes by providing my vision for the BioResonant interface, which encourages a better understanding of ourselves for richer intrapersonal and interpersonal interactions. / by Kyung Yun Choi. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 99-106). / In this thesis, I consider the research problem of designing optimal algorithms for two specific settings of the stochastic multi-armed bandit problem. The first setting considers the problem where rewards are drawn from a family of extremely heavy-tailed distributions known as a-stable distributions. For this setting, I extended an existing upper confidence bound algorithm, to create an optimal frequentist algorithm, titled [alpha]-UCB. Next, I developed a variant of the Bayesian Thompson Sampling algorithm in this setting, titled Robust [alpha]-TS, which involved developing an efficient pipeline for posterior inference. I also proved finite-time regret bounds for this algorithm, that are optimal up to logarithmic factors. The second problem setting I considered was the networked multi-agent problem where agents have local communication, and have unique preferences. This problem setting is a generalization of the co-operative multi-agent stochastic bandit problem, and is a closely related variant of the single-agent bandit setting with side observations. For this setting, I developed an optimal upper confidence bound algorithm, titled Net-UCB. I also proved finite-time regret bounds for this algorithm that are logarithmic in the number of rounds, and are sub-linear in the number of agents. For both settings, I conducted extensive experiments to verify the tightness of the regret bounds established, and compare performance with existing state-of-the-art algorithms. The algorithms proposed in this thesis obtain competitive regret and state-of-the-art performance across a variety of problem settings. / by Abhimanyu Dubey. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 73-82). / Artificial intelligence systems (Al) have become a ubiquitous part of modern life. Yet their complexity has prevented a concrete conceptualization that correctly map the web of human actors and computational processes involved in Al. This opaque representation of AI poses questions for accountability and governance, such as who is responsible when an Al makes a moral transgression? This thesis takes a discursive and empirical approach to reifying Al as a specific network of human actors with real world outcomes. It explores the phenomenon of anthropormophization, by which Al is endowed with human-like characteristics, and shows how the extent to which a Al system is anthropomorphized can affect the attribution of responsibility to human actors. This thesis does not offer a normative suggestion for whom society should blame when Al make moral transgressions, but rather offers a view into human folk intuitions. / by Ziv Epstein. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 54-60). / Loneliness is becoming a global epidemic. As many as 33% of Americans report being chronically lonely, with similar percentages reported in countries around the world. Additionally, this is a percentage that has risen by as much as 50% in recent years. Many are turning to online forums as a way to connect with others about their feelings of loneliness and to begin to reduce these feelings. However, posts often go unresponded to and online conversations do not take place, perhaps because those conversing did not find a connection between each other, potentially leaving the poster feeling even more lonely. In this thesis, I first define health of conversation for these types of supportive online conversations. I then examine the contributors to conversational health, both in terms of the homophily of the participants and the way in which the participants are conversing. By comparing these characteristics among the spectrum of healthy, supportive, online conversations, I lay the groundwork for being able to facilitate finding optimal conversation partners for those that are feeling lonely. I conclude by envisioning what an interface would look like that would take these factors into account so people can most quickly find the right person to engage with. / by Lauren Fratamico. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (page 115). / In his theory of constructionism, Seymour Papert asserted the importance of bricolage in the learning process. Papert defined bricolage as "a style of organizing work that can be described as negotiational rather than planned in advance." The bricoleur - one who engages in bricolage - works in dialogue with their materials, continuously experimenting and course-correcting as necessary. Throughout this process, the bricoleur creates relations between materials and in doing so, builds mental relations in their head among ideas and knowledge. In this sense, creating with materials is the thinking process and as a result, Papert claimed that "in the most fundamental sense, we, as learners, are all bricoleurs." In light of this, it is important to develop rich bricolage contexts and experiences to support learners in constructing their own knowledge. This thesis describes Bricoleur, a new tool for creating expressive projects in a bricolage style. Bricoleur builds off of the programming paradigm developed for the Scratch programming language to allow makers to create a wide variety of dynamic projects by capturing and programming video and audio media on tablet hardware. We describe the design decisions that led to the creation of a tinkerable tool that engages both the mind and body. In addition, we outline the types of projects and working styles that emerged during creative workshops in which makers created projects with Bricoleur. We then look at some broad outcomes of the work, noting that Bricoleur enables young makers to engage not just with computation and media, but also with their bodies, their environment, and the people around them. Through this process, makers encounter ideas about space, place, people, and time. We conclude with some reflections on future directions for the tool, mobile programming in general, and new possibilities of creative contexts for bricolage. / by Sean Hickey. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 92-98). / The rapid advance of electronic devices and fabrication technologies have further promoted the field of wearables and smart textiles. Several challenges remain, as most of the current efforts in textile electronics focus on 'niche' applications and lack of sensing modalities, as well as large-scale coverage. We introduce a new platform of flexible-stretchable distributed sensor networks that can be embedded into a digitally-knit textile. It can be customized for various forms and functions using standard, accessible, and low-cost manufacturing approach. Rigorous experimental and theoretical investigations of each sensor modality, the robustness of sensor-interconnects system, washability, breathability, and sensor-to-skin contact pressure define the critical features of this novel electronic textile platform. The realization of a tailored, intelligent bodysuit that simultaneously and wirelessly monitors multi-nodal temperature, heart rate, and respiration, as well as physical activity demonstrates its vision for multi-functional, seamless health and activity monitoring, with potential implications in clinical medicine, healthcare, rehabilitation, and sports science. / by Irmandy Wicaksono. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, June, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 82-88). / This thesis introduces and evaluates directed biogenic fabrication: a philosophical approach and technical framework for co-fabricating ecologically active civil infrastructure with living cells. I propose that imbuing our buildings and urban systems with life, or at least biologic capabilities, will enable tight interconnections between fundamental species occupying different infrastructural niches, resulting in urban ecosystems that develop and evolve closed-loop resource cycles and equilibrate our atmosphere. As a proof of concept for this generalizable approach, I cover three strategies demonstrating specific tools, techniques, and assessment methods for designing elements of a living infrastructure: (1) Programmable Surface Features and Hydrophilicity -utilizing organic chemistry, computational design, and digital fabrication to engender particular mechanical properties and responsiveness in biopolymer materials; Communication Ecology-templating visual and conformational signals in biopolymer materials that communicate information about the environment to other organisms; and Opportunistic Chimeric Design-exploiting and co-opting the most powerful capabilities evolution has produced in order to grow infrastructural lifeforms. The first two methods are exemplified through two architectural scale pavilions -Aguahoja I and II-while the third is shown through a series of prototypical materials synthesized by two types of bone cancer cells. This thesis makes contributions to the fields of materials science, biological engineering, civil engineering, digital fabrication, and computational design.. / by Joshua Van Zak. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2019 / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 74-79). / Music, narrative, and social interaction have long been intertwined. The objective of this thesis is to create a platform, designed for interactive multiplayer operas, that explores the potential for technology-enabled systems to facilitate creativity through expression, the emotional affordances of musical storytelling, and the spatiotemporal boundaries of copresence. A variety of design experiments for collaborative musical narrative are implemented and evaluated. The work also introduces a real-time lyrical conversation system, with user interfaces that allow for simultaneous musical and narrative expression with a high degree of granularity. These experiences are encapsulated by an overarching lyrical multiplayer narrative opera platform. This project seeks to provide a novel means of creating and understanding multi-user, interactive music systems in which users participate in active and collaborative music-making in conjunction with narrative engagement. / by David Su. / S.M. / S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences