Making information understandable and literally graspable is the main goal of tangible interaction research. By giving digital data physical representations (Tangible User Interface Objects, or TUIOs), they can be used and manipulated like everyday objects with the users’ natural manipulation skills. Such physical interaction is basically of uni-directional kind, directed from the user to the s...

The concept of an impact actuated shift valve is presented. This valve concept can be actuated by different kinds of actuators, such as piezo stack actuators. A simplified model for the investigation of the impact process is created. The model consists of a plate, two spheres and a fluid-filled tank. Experiments are presented with and without fluids and different plates. The results are compare...