In addition to drawing on the talents of its staff, profiled here, TechnoFrolics calls on a long-established network of accomplished software developers, electrical engineers, machinists, audio engineers, and others, to assist with projects as needed.

• David Durlach, Founder and Director
• Darius Miller, Electrical Engineer, Programmer, and VP
• Lawrence Fine, Exhibit Designer and Machinist
• Margarita Drozdoff, Writer, Graphic Designer,
  and Web Developer

Entrepreneurial Experience

Mr. Durlach is the Creative/Technical Director of TechnoFrolics, the high-tech design firm he founded in 1988. He and his company create interactive computer controlled dancing sculptures, new visualization/presentation technologies, and educational exhibits for art, science, and commercial settings. TechnoFrolics’ clients include MIT, Ford Motor Company, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the New England Aquarium, TERC (Technical Education Research Center), and the Japanese Government, to name just a few.

Mr. Durlach has received numerous art and science development grants. Mr. Durlach was the Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and Phase II grant, as well as being the recipient of grants from the Boston Artists’ Foundation, the Somerville Arts Council, and from a number of private supporters.

Patents

Mr. Durlach holds two U.S. patents, and has a third pending. The first patent is on a technology comprised of fine iron particles in a computer-controlled electromagnetic field. Science/artworks using this technology are installed in science museums across the country where they excite the public to learn more about magnetism. Kinetic logos based on the same technology have been used to attract and entertain in commercial settings such as the Trump Taj Mahal Casino. Spin-off magnetic-field open experimentation platforms have been installed in science museums worldwide.

His second patent is on a programmable torsional wave medium that exhibits chaotic dynamics at high energy excitation levels. This invention allows the construction of interactive kinetic signs that evidence wave physics and non-linear system dynamics, and is intended for use in science museum and commercial settings.

His third patent (pending) is on a new visualization and presentation technology, the Spin Browser™ video explorer. This technology brings all the magic and educational value of time lapse and high-speed videography into the interactive realm, and is permanently installed in science museums throughout the country, as well as being used by surgeons to present case study Endoscopic videos of their operations.

Educational Speaking Engagements

Mr. Durlach has given presentations on his work at numerous universities, museums, and educational events, including the MIT Media Laboratory, the Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing (DIAC) Conference, the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Brandeis University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD).

For speaker references, please see the References page under Consulting Services.

You can also download an audio interview with David by the BBC World Service, New Ideas Show in Real Player (1000 Kbyte) or MP3 (4000 Kbyte) formats.

Published Writings

Mr. Durlach’s writings include "Affectionate Technology," published in the 1990 Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing Conference Proceedings and reprinted in 1997 in the book Reinventing Technology, Rediscovering Community; "A Brief Introduction to Feminist Engineering," published in the Small Computers in the Arts Network ‘90 Proceedings; and a variety of commercially-focused articles published in industry trade magazines.

Press

Writings and articles about his work, including TechnoFrolics’ previous NSF/SBIR Phase I/II grant activities, have been published in a wide range of venues including a short piece in Science in 1996 and a 5 page feature article in Discover Magazine in 1997 – the latter reprinted in its entirety in the 1999 hardback New Book of Popular Science. Most recently, Mr. Durlach was quoted in Nature commenting on issues related to programming computers to understand emotions, in an article on the MIT Media Lab’s 1999 "Sensibles" symposium.

University Affiliations

Mr. Durlach, who attended Princeton University with concentrations in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics, was for over 10 years a part time section instructor for Harvard Extension School pre-calculus and calculus courses, and continues to work one evening a week in their Mathematics "Question Center".

Mr. Durlach has functioned as co-advisor, along with the student’s faculty advisor, for many undergraduates doing independent senior thesis and course projects. In particular, he has co-advised 3 Harvard University Mechanical Engineering students doing their senior theses developing TechnoFrolics’ creations. Two of three prototypes built by students as part of these theses have later been funded by third parties to bring them to museum-exhibit form, and one is permanently installed in the Center of Science & Industry in Columbus, Ohio.

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A highly creative and science-minded individual, Mr. Miller joined TechnoFrolics part-time in 1994, while attending MIT. He became a full-time engineer in 1996. Since then, Mr. Miller has been involved in the management, design, and implementation of virtually all of our projects. He became Vice President in 1999. As Vice President he helped develop the business plan and marketing goals of TechnoFrolics while taking primary responsibility for technical development of many products.

In June of 2001, Mr. Miller chose to change his relationship to TechnoFrolics from that of an employee to that of an independent contractor and consultant. Mr. Miller chose to enact this change in order to advance his career and for various financial reasons. He continues to be deeply involved in many of our projects. He is currently offering his services as an electronic design and prototyping consultant in the Seattle area.
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Mr. Fine is an experienced machinist, welder, founder, and general fabricator. He is skilled in the use of a wide range of machine tools such as mills, lathes, etc., oxy/fuel, TIG and SMA welding techniques, bronze and aluminum foundry operations, and general exhibit construction.

Mr. Fine joined our team three years ago after working for 6 years at the Boston Museum of Science. At the museum, he was regularly involved in modifying existing exhibits to enhance their safety, reliability and maintainability for the high-use environment in which they functioned.

Mr. Fine’s work history prior to the Boston Museum of Science position includes 5 years machining experience at Fine Tooling in Hudson MA, 4 years as an independent contractor, and 4 years as an Air Force ground crew mechanic at Loring Air Force Base, ME.

At TechnoFrolics, Mr. Fine has been deeply involved in the mechanical design and fabrication of such exhibits as:

• Five-foot diameter custom-molded propellers that fly up and down 18 foot vertical spinning square shafts, where science museum visitors control the speed of the spinning shafts through 5 HP servo motors.
• A Power Distribution Exhibit wherein museum visitors can route power, created by hand-crank generators, to stations ranging from a house with electric lighting, to dual racing model trains, to a 15" oversize thermometer.
• An elegant space age kiosk to house TechnoFrolics’ Spin Browser technology.

For 6 years, Mr. Fine taught a machining and welding class at the Brookline Center for Adult Education.

Ms. Drozdoff is a talented writer, editor and content designer with extensive experience working in the New England high-tech industry. Currently studying graphic design at the Museum School in Boston, Ms. Drozdoff works part time at TechnoFrolics, designing, authoring and maintaining TechnoFrolics' web site.

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