EM.I Details

EM.I generates artistic visualizations of Electric fields. Your unique token hash determines parameters that generate 2 unique field displays (with and without annotations) and bonus collaborative material! Field displays are constructed line-by-line as you watch - in either manual mode OR auto mode (continuously loops through all displays).

Each token generates

• multicolor mapping of field lines (with and without annotations)
• field intensity color mapping (with and without annotations) ‐ the strength and direction of the field at each point along a field line are used to determine the mix of colors
• bonus collaborative material (hash mixing that yields bonus content ‐ see below)

Each unique token hash is used to determine

• number of sources (3-6)
• relative strengths of the set of sources
• arrangement of sources
• color mapping (10 possibilities)

User Keyboard Interaction

Manual mode (default)

• i key to display or dismiss this info
• spacebar to move to the next display
• left/right arrow keys to show/hide frame rate
• up/down arrow keys to change frame rate
• + key to generate Bonus Content

Note: spacebar will move to the next display only after the current display completes rendering. It can take 30-60 seconds to complete a render when the frame rate is set to 60 fps.

Auto mode

• a key to enter auto mode (continuously loops between displays)
• s key to exit auto mode

Important: To use other keys (manual mode) you must first exit auto mode (s key).

Sample Output

After render is complete (20-30 seconds)

• when in manual mode hitting the spacebar adds annotation to the image
• when in auto mode annotation is added to the image without user interaction

Next,

• when in manual mode hitting the spacebar again yields the Electric Field intensity color mapping
• when in auto mode the Electric Field intensity color mapping is generated without user interaction

After render is complete (20-30 seconds)

• when in manual mode hitting the spacebar adds annotation to the image
• when in auto mode annotation is added to the image without user interaction

Bonus Collaborative Material

This is a collaborative feature that allows you to mix your hash with a different hash to produce unique bonus content (alternately, you may enter a personal phrase). 😎

Press the + key to access bonus material.

Important: you must be in manual mode - if needed - first exit auto mode (s key).

Sample Bonus Content

Okay, so let's give it a go! You can enter pretty much anything you wish. The mixing was designed to take your unique token hash and combine it with another token's hash to create a new hash. Wait, what? Yeah, that's actually a thing. That new hash is then used to create content. This means that you and another collector can combine hashes and have a common collaborative set of outputs. Sweet.

Sounds awesome ... but what if you don't want to go to all that trouble of finding another hash to mix in with yours? No worries. I've got you covered! Instead of entering another hash simply enter a meaningful phrase.

This will set into motion the creation of new content based on a new combined hash.

Historical Background

Nearly everyone has a memory from childhood where they encountered and played with magnets. Perhaps you wondered, What is this magical invisible force of attraction and repulsion? Later, most likely in a science classroom, you may have performed the classic experiment of placing iron filings around a bar magnet. The iron filings line up along the field lines allowing you to see the path and direction of the invisible magnetic field. 😳 🤔 😎

Michael Faraday (1791-1865) is credited for coining the terms "field" and "lines of force" during his work on electricity and magnetism. Later it was realized that his "lines of force" were in fact the paths of electric and magnetic fields. Faraday's discoveries established connections between electricity and magnetism that are the foundation of today's electric motors and transformers. Despite a lack of formal education he became one of the most influential scientists in history and contributed greatly to physics and chemistry. Faraday's law of induction is one of the four fundamental laws governing electromagnetism.

James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) was a brilliant mathematician and scientist. Maxwell was among the first to understand the deep meaning of Faraday's field concept. Maxwell incorporated the work of Faraday (and others) into a set of equations now known as "Maxwell's Equations." His set of four equations are accepted as the basis of all modern theories of electromagnetic phenomena: electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic (i.e. light). Einstein described Maxwell's work as the most profound that physics has experienced since the time of Newton.

About the author

I'm a science professor and generative artist. I will be releasing more science-related generative art soon! Stay tuned for more to come!