WEEK 13 - SKIN ELECTRONICS¶
Last Update: Jan 31, 2022
December 13-29, 2021
This week I learned how to solder and connect neopixels together and assemble them in a silicone casing for skin application. Unforutnately I don't think my soldering job was great as the connections were poor and couldn't light the neopixels up well. Regardless, I also learned how to encase LED strips into silicone and create shapes that could fit onto the body.
Keywords: neopixels, wires, soldering, coding, Arduino, connection, skin electronics, lights
Quick Summary¶
Tools/Resources Learned:
- Soldering
Tools Refined:
- Silicone casting with Smooth-On Ecoflex 30
What I still want to learn better:
- incorporating neopxiels directly on skin in a cleaner manner (more invisible looking cords/wires)
Research and Inspiration¶
I spent a loooot of time imagining and re-imagining and drating what I could possibly do for this. I relied primarily on the lecture notes and Adafruit documentation for ideas and inspiration. I was also highly inspired by my colleague Amanda Jarvis and her project.
I was also really inspired by Cyberpunk characters and the electronic integrations on their skin. (note: I did not end up emulating this, just admired lol)
To keep track of some of my many many thoughts I made quick sketches of potential areas to pursue.
Silicone/LED Collar¶
For this and the next project, I started by handmaking a headband out of some extra fabric I had laying around.
The following video summarizes the process of making a band / collar that I actually thought could be attached to my back along my spine. But in the end I thought it was fun to put on my neck as well ha...
A downside of this sample was that it was much too thick (about ¼ inch)... so I wanted to try again with a different shape.
Silicone/LED Necklace¶
Similar to the project above I made another sample in the shape of a wide necklace that was much thinner than the last. I also figured that I could make it thinner by flattening the LED strip with another sheet of aluminum.
To connect the LED to the battery that was sewn to the headband, I hung a couple wires from the battery and used alligator clips to connect them to the LED tips. Note: I had to burn off the tips of the LED strings to remove the insulation coating and expose the conductive parts
Microcontroller¶
While there was no microcontroller used for this week's assignment specifically, I used a Gemma board and Arduino Nano BLE 33 Sense board for my final project. Click below to see more details:
Final Prototype 1
Final Prototype 2
Final Results¶
I was genuinely surprised and pleased that I was able to complete this assignment with some results that I liked. I dreaded most of this week's assignment in fear of making something unfavorable especially because I had to take pictures with my face in it.. Anyways here's the final shot!
