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A display you can both see and feel — black and green digital device

A display you can both see and feelCEFR A1

2 Dec 2025

Adapted from Debra Herrick - UC Santa Barbara, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by eMotion Tech, Unsplash

AI-assisted adaptation of the original article, simplified for language learners.

  • Researchers at UCSB made a new tactile display.
  • People can both see and clearly feel the images.
  • It uses a small fast scanning laser.
  • Each pixel has a thin graphite film.
  • Light heats air under the film.
  • The top surface moves up to one millimeter.
  • The system scans many pixels very quickly.
  • The team made devices with 1,500 pixels.
  • People can feel and see moving shapes accurately.
  • No wires are on the surface.

Difficult words

  • ResearchersA person who studies and tests ideas.
  • tactileConnected to the sense of touch.
  • displayA screen or surface that shows images.
  • pixelA very small point in an image or screen.
    pixels
  • graphiteA dark, soft form of carbon used in thin films.
  • scansTo move quickly over parts to check or read.
    scanning
  • surfaceThe top outside part of something.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Would you like to feel and see images on a screen?
  • Have you ever touched a screen that moves?
  • Do you prefer to touch or to only see images?

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