Material Emancipation Grill

Aperture Science Material Emancipation Grids (Also known as Emancipation Grills or Fizzlers), are shimmering, semi-transparent particle fields that appear in the Aperture Science testing facilites. They are found right before elevators at the end of each Test Chamber, as part of a test itself, and in some administrative areas.

Function

The primary function of the Emancipation Grid is to vaporize any unauthorized equipment that passes through it while allowing test subjects and the ASHPD to pass through. When something is vaporized, the object turns black, hovers in mid-air, and disintegrates, emitting small flames and sparks. In Portal 2, this is accompanied with a loud sound when the object comes in contact with the Grid. The Emancipation Grid will glow brightly in Portal 2 as objects approach it to warn the player that it will vaporize the object once they come into contact. Portals also cannot pass through the Grid.

The Emancipation Grid also causes the Portal Gun to shake, signalling that it has "rebooted", removing any portals that have already been placed. This functions to give each Test Subject a clean slate upon starting a new test. It also prevents Test Subjects from navigating the Aperture Science testing facilities quickly by using portals.

Appearence

Portal

In Portal, the Emancipation Grids appear as incandescent particle fields in many different locations.

Portal 2

In Portal 2, Emancipation Grids appear more solid in nature compared to Portal 1. They are coloured light blue and have a shimmering water-like appearance. In the Developer commentary, it was noted that they look this way to appear more "safe" to players, while still showing that there is a barrier to inanimate objects.

Trivia

• The Borealis was designed to contain Emancipation Grids, as seen in this blueprint.

• 

  A larger Emancipation Grid, used in a Test Chamber

• 

  Emancipation Grid in Portal 1

• 

  A Vaporized Discouragement Redirection Cube