9. E-Textiles and Wearables II#
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. First Acuator - Illuminating Fur#
“Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a method for 3D printing artificial hair. When a microphone is attached to the hair, it becomes a sensor that can detect which direction, and at what speed, a finger is swiping. By vibrating the hairy surface, it becomes an actuator than can move objects along a predetermined path”
(References: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/05/16/mit-researchers-create-3d-printed-hair/)
(References: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Fake-Fur.html)
I found it fascinating that a simulated fur surface could have so much potentiality as an actuator, as I have been searching and experimenting for methods to reimagine the visual and textures of animal fur.
I started with cutting up fibre optics into fragments of around 20 mm long, gathering around 15- 20 fragments into one batch, secured with either shrink tube or gaffa tapes. Then depending on the deisgn,small batches could be merged into a bigger batch for a more diffused effect, usually two to four batches, in total 60-80 fibre optics fragments to be connected with one LED light/ neopixel component.
Shrink tube/ gaffa tape/ E6000 glue sit inbetween the light source and the top edge of the fibre optics, allow space of a mesh fabric layer to be stucked through the fibres, creating an illusion of hairs being lighted up in adjustable colours within this glass fur ocean.
In my tests gaffa tape with shrink tube works the best, as if solely using heat to melt and mould/tighten shrink tube would also burn/ melt the fibre optics, potentially the Neopixel as well.
In regards to the thickness of the fur fabric, I like rather larger height of the fibre optics as the side look would be transluscent because rarely any light would be reflected onto the side, but the majority of the light comes throught the top edge of the fibres, therefore visually there are a layer of colour floating on the surface layer of the fur fabric.
Adjusting the colour palette using Photoshop. It’s interesting to see the difference between the colour on the screen and the one emitted out of the Neopixel, although having the same code.
Conceptual imageries on the compositions of the fibre optics.
Tests on how fibre optics fragments could be gathered into batches in order to form a volumed surfaces.
Volumed fibre optics batches embedded in a piece of bio plastic hole grid, although fibres not dense enough but as a first sample piece to begin with.
I personally prefer the fibre optic to be glowing not in complete darkness, but more as a concept of electronic colour dye, onto the physical material (fur).
Therefore presenting the sample within a dimmed daylight environment would be best as audience would preceive the changing colour originated from the Neopixel deep down onto the surface to be a physical/ tangible colour.
. Second Actuator - Sensitivity DJ Set#
I have seen musician or installation artists with musical practices engaging in creating sounds from sliding/ touching on objects. It’s wonderful to see how various qualities of objects/ surfaces/ environment can create “organic” sounds to be further designed/compose by us. This is also the reason I prefer vibration buzzers over piezo compoents in the use of generating tones/ music.
This actuator has a rather basic technology/ circuit, however giving a lot of space in designing its aesethtic. Through applying/ embedding vibration motor onto fabric/ garment/ accessories/ sculptures, the actuator can be incorporated into performance art, as a medium to engage artists’ dance move/ traces with tones.
Vibrator motors mounted on the bottom edge of gathered fabric draps, so while certain body movements are made, vibrator motors would touch/ slide on surrounding glass/ ceramic sculptures.