The Photosynthesizer is a musical interface, created by Nidhi Malhotra and Hirumi Nanyakkara, that’s explores using a living system as an instrument. 

Malhotra and Nanyakkara incorporated an algae bioreactor into their instrument. Photocells and an Arduino microcontroller translate the user’s gestures into ’80s music’.

They note, “This whimsical approach to how we can integrate renewable energy into our everyday objects shows that the use of playful interactions can percolate biofuel incubation more readily into the lives of everyday people.”

via adafruit, Nidhi Malhotra