Japanese "wave printer" makes a splash 9 Apr 2008

Researchers at Akishima Laboratories have developed a printer that can draw on the surface of water.

According to digitalexperience, the printer consists of 50 wave generators embedded within a cylindrical tank. These generators pump out waves that meet in the centre of the tank and collide to create a set of "water pixels" that can be manipulated to form letters and simple graphics. The images produced only remain on the water's surface momentarily, but a new image can be produced every three seconds.

More information is available in this press release (Adobe PDF format). However, be warned: unless you speak fluent Japanese, you'll have to be content with looking at the pretty photos and diagrams.