Tiny Explosions Create a New Kind of Braille Display
- Yul So
- Nov 19
- 1 min read
Nov 19, 2025
Yul So
November 4 marks Korea’s Braille Day, celebrating the creation of Hunmaengjeongeum, the Korean Braille system, by educator Park Du-seong. Although Braille has helped millions of people who are blind access written language, printed Braille books are still rare, and digital Braille devices remain expensive and limited. Recently, scientists introduced a new technology that could make Braille more accessible in the digital era.
A study published in Science Robotics describes a Braille display that uses small, controlled explosions to raise its dots. Each Braille dot is made of soft silicone, about two millimeters wide, and contains a tiny amount of gas. When an electric spark ignites the gas, pressure rapidly pushes the dome upward, forming a raised bump that can be felt instantly. The movement happens in just 0.24 milliseconds and is safe because the heat disappears immediately. The raised dots hold their shape without continuous power and can be reset by releasing the air inside.
The device is built with thin silicone layers and a small electronic board that generates the sparks. With almost no moving parts, it is light, durable, and cheap to produce. In tests, blind participants successfully read words and simple shapes, such as a smiley face, by touch.
Researchers say this approach could make multi-line electronic Braille books possible, giving readers faster and easier access to digital content. It may also be applied to other tactile systems, including virtual reality and robotics. As Braille Day reminds us of the importance of accessible reading, this new technology offers a hopeful step toward making information truly touchable for everyone.
