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VELOSLUT PADS

5. E-textiles

sensors

REFERENCES & INSPIRATION

To explore soft, wearable sensors, I researched beginner e-textile projects that demonstrate how pressure, movement, and interaction can be captured using conductive materials.

  • Hannah Perner-Wilson's Kobakant swatchbook
  • Adafruit's conductive fabric tutorials
  • Arduino’s basic examples on analogRead and digitalRead
Sensor Ideas

Analog: Pressure-sensitive fabric pad using Velostat and conductive fabric Digital: Tilt sensor made from a soft ball of conductive thread and a bead

These projects show how simple materials can turn fabric into interactive surfaces.

PROCESS & WORKFLOW

TOOLS

  • Velostat
  • Conductive thread (stainless steel or silver-coated)
  • Conductive fabric
  • Fabric
  • A bead or metal ball
  • Regular thread and needle
  • Arduino Uno or Nano
  • Alligator clips (for testing)

Sensor 1: Analog Pressure Pad

Circuit Type: Soft

Function: Detects pressure changes (e.g., hand press)

MATERIALS
  • Velostat
  • Conductive fabric squares
  • Felt (base)
  • Conductive thread

STEP BY STEP

  • Cut two 3x3 cm squares of conductive fabric.
  • Cut a 3x3 cm Velostat square.
  • Sandwich the Velostat between the two conductive squares.
  • Sew conductive thread traces from each conductive fabric square to the edge of your felt swatch (this acts as the soft circuit).
  • Connect these ends to A0 and GND of the Arduino using alligator clips.

Velo1 Velo2

CODE

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int pressureValue = analogRead(A0);
  Serial.println(pressureValue);
  delay(200);
}


HOT TIPS

CONCEPT

This wearable experiment uses copper wire and thermochromic paint to create a playful, reactive nail that changes color through heat generated by the Adafruit Flora. Instead of pressure sensors or lights, this circuit stimulates a thermal response directly through the nail surface, offering a subtle, expressive interface between body and tech.

PROCESS & WORKFLOW

Tools

  • Adafruit Flora
  • Copper wire
  • Base: Fake nails + nail glue
  • Thermochromic powder
  • Alligator clips

Tools

STEP BY STEP

  1. Paint your fake nail with thermochromic pigment or polish and allow to fully dry.

Nails Paint Nails

  1. Shape a small coil or loop of copper wire and tape or glue it to the underside of the nail (not touching skin).

Copper Loop

  1. Use alligator clips:
  2. One end of copper wire → Flora D9
  3. Other end of copper wire → Flora GND

Alligator Clips

  1. Plug Flora into your computer via USB for power.

Tip Circuit

  1. Upload the code below using the Arduino IDE.

CIRCUIT

Flora Pin Connection
9 Copper Wire +
GND Copper Wire -

  • The copper wire acts as a resistive heater.

  • Once current flows, the wire heats up, and the thermochromic nail shifts color.

  • Run off USB for power — no battery needed.

CODE

void setup() {
  pinMode(9, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(9, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

SAFETY NOTES

  • Test heat output carefully — keep heating cycles short.
  • Do not use directly on skin for long periods.
  • Use a thin resistor wire or coil the copper to increase heat without requiring high current.

Results


Final Thoughts

This was a minimal yet powerful exploration of body interface design and temperature-responsive materials. Rather than measuring data, this wearable performs a transformation — a poetic tech gesture. It invites further exploration into fashion, feedback, and feeling.

Video

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