Research and design in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) have increasingly engaged with embodied, situated, and material-mediated forms of interaction. Across many such systems, sensing is not performed solely by embedded, off-the-shelf components, but arises through material properties and transformations. Yet HCI still lacks a coherent framework for articulating how materials themselves participate in sensing beyond serving as passive substrates. This paper introduces Ambient Material-Embodied Sensing (AMES), a generative theoretical framework that reframes sensing by foregrounding materials as the sensing medium in their own right. AMES conceptualizes it as an emergent property of material transduction, material-body coupling, and ambient computational inference. We articulate three core mechanisms and demonstrate how AMES can reinterpret existing systems while informing future design and research on material-mediated sensing in interaction design.

Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) have enabled the emergence of intelligent agents capable of performing complex multi-step tasks across various domains. In parallel, the growth of Web3 has introduced a decentralized web infrastructure, yet remains largely inaccessible to non-technical users due to operational complexity, fragmented information, and security risks. In this article, we present Web3Agent , an AI agent system that integrates LLM-based interaction with blockchain environments to enable language-driven on-chain operations. Web3Agent automatically decomposes user instructions into structured workflows, dynamically queries blockchain data and APIs, and performs multi-step operations such as asset transfers, token swaps, and smart contract execution. Web3Agent incorporates real-time inspection, error handling, and interaction transparency across its operation log, and flow visualization components. We evaluate the system and perform ablation study with customized dataset in a simulated environment, demonstrating its feasibility in orchestrating complex Web3 tasks and highlighting implications for agent-based abstraction in decentralized systems.

Touch sensing is a prominent pillar technique in various human-computer interactive scenarios, especially when touchscreen-based capacitive touch sensing has become a representative in user-end electronics. An intelligent touch-sensing system captures the capacitive touch-sensing images to recognize the objects via machine learning techniques. However, collecting the training dataset is usually laborious and time-consuming, requiring specific coding skills and knowledge. In this article, we introduced vCapTouch, a data generation method to synthesize the touch sensing data, which can be directly employed to train a machine learning model and recognize the real touching behavior, significantly lowering the need for real dataset collection. The presented method is primarily based on the idea of the digital twin. We implemented the method with Unity3D, a game engine that enables high interactivity, is easy to use, and has a low cost. We evaluated the proposed method on eight users with different touch screen devices and proved the feasibility of synthesizing the touch sensing data.

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has given birth to transformative and massively deployed computing applications that raise the significant issue of energy sources. It is impractical and irresponsible to rely on wires and batteries to power trillion-level devices. One promising prediction is that energy harvesting technologies will serve as alternative power sources for IoT devices. However, we might be losing this prophecy for lack of understanding of how novice developers comprehend energy in developing IoT. In response, we conducted a mentored physical prototyping study with a two-day workshop involving eight novice developers. The study consisted of qualitative and quantitative analyses, the artifacts, interviews with both novice developers and an expert, and implications of designs for future tools. The findings reveal informational gaps that demand educational efforts and assistive features to facilitate novice developers. We present major findings from the study and implications for the design of future tools.

Guiding users with limb exercise can assist in muscle training or physical recovery. However, traditional vision-based methods often require multiple camera angles to help users understand the motions and require them to be within the range of the screen. Therefore, we propose a non-visual system that can guide users with multiple-directional limb motions utilizing spatial audio, AudioMove , with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices (i.e., smartphones and earphones). The proposed system addresses the challenge of conveying directional information encompassing multiple planes in real-time. We conduct a mixed-method user study to evaluate the effectiveness of the system with three methods combining motion data with spatial audio perception. Additionally, a user interface is built to collect users' comments. The results conclude that spatial audio guidance could create a natural, pervasive, and non-visual exercise training solution in daily life.

Regardless of which community, incentivizing users is a necessity for well-sustainable operations. In the blockchain-backed Web3 communities, known for their transparency and security, airdrop serves as a widespread incentive mechanism for allocating capital and power. However, it remains a controversy on how to justify airdrop to incentive and empower the decentralized governance. In this paper, we use ParaSwap as an example to propose a role taxonomy methodology through a data-driven study to understand the characteristic of community members and the effectiveness of airdrop. We find that users receive more rewards tend to take positive actions towards the community. We summarize several arbitrage patterns and confirm the current detection is not sufficient in screening out airdrop hunters. In conjunction with the results, we discuss from the aspects of interaction, financialization, and system design to conclude the challenges and possible research directions for decentralized communities.

Human activities can introduce variations in various environmental cues, such as light and sound, which can serve as inputs for interfaces. However, one often overlooked aspect is the airflow variation caused by these activities, which presents challenges in detection and utilization due to its intangible nature. In this paper, we have unveiled an approach using mist to capture invisible airflow variations, rendering them detectable by Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors. We investigate the capability of this sensing technique under different types of mist or smoke, as well as the impact of airflow speed. To illustrate the feasibility of this concept, we created a prototype using a humidifier and demonstrated its capability to recognize motions. On this basis, we introduce potential applications, discuss inherent limitations, and provide design lessons grounded in mist-based airflow sensing.

Blockchain games introduce unique gameplay and incentive mechanisms by allowing players to be rewarded with in-game assets or tokens through financial activities. However, most blockchain games are not comparable to traditional games in terms of lifespan and player engagement. In this paper, we try to see the big picture in a small way to explore and determine the impact of gameplay and financial factors on player behavior in blockchain games. Taking Aavegotchi as an example, we collect one year of operation data to build player profiles. We perform an in-depth analysis of player behavior from the macroscopic data and apply an unsupervised clustering method to distinguish the attraction of the gameplay and incentives. Our results reveal that the whole game is held up by a small number of players with high-frequent interaction or vast amounts of funds invested. Financial incentives are indispensable for blockchain games for they provide attraction and optional ways for players to engage with the game. However, financial services are tightly linked to the free market. The game will face an irreversible loss of players when the market experiences depression. For blockchain games, well-designed gameplay should be the fundamental basis for the long-lasting retention of players.

With the support of the blockchain systems, the cryptocurrency has changed the world of virtual assets. Digital games, especially those with massive multi-player scenarios, will be significantly impacted by this novel technology. However, there are insufficient academic studies on this topic. In this work, we filled the blank by surveying the state-of-the-art blockchain games. We discuss the blockchain integration for games and then categorize existing blockchain games from the aspects of their genres and technical platforms. Moreover, by analyzing the industrial trend with a statistical approach, we envision the future of blockchain games from technological and commercial perspectives.