5. E-textiles¶

Research¶

Upload Arduino code

Electronics: Day 1

This week, we began to grasp the fundamental concepts of electronics and how electronic components function within e-textiles. As part of our learning process, we conducted group exercises where we created various circuits using LEDs, resistors, breadboards, and wires. Subsequently, we developed an analog temperature sensor and a digital light sensor. Additionally, we measured the energy consumption of each configuration we created individually and as a group using a Multimeter.

Basic Concepts:

Voltage: The force driving electric current through a circuit, measured in volts (V).
Amperage (Current): The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (A).
Ohms (Ω): The unit of electrical resistance, determining how much a material opposes current.
Arduino: open-source platform for creating digital and interactive projects with easy-to-use hardware and software.

Electronics

References & Inspiration¶

Moncler and Craig Green collaborate to create a nature-inspired collection that redesigns mountain wear with a modern and practical twist. What I find interesting is how the garments feel like living sculptures, transforming with every movement. The vibrant colors and lightweight fabrics give them a unique and special touch.

describe what you see in this image Moncler 5 Craig Green

Tools¶

Materials¶

Conductive fabrics
Conductive thread
Velostat
Cotton thread
Cooper wire
3v & 9v battery
Crocodile clips
Multimeter
Adafruit
Vibration motor
Electronic fun Kit
Sewing Kit

Process and workflow¶

As part of the ideation process, I utilized fabric scraps and electronic components from the Circular Fashion exercise to generate an abstract form. I sewed conductive thread onto this form to create a simple circuit that included an LED, a resistor, and positive and negative connections, magnets sewn into the fabric generated movement through attraction and repulsion, creating a dynamic effect.

Sensors and electric circuits¶

First electronic circuit First sketch & circuit test

First electronic circuit Analog sensor - one LED

Basic Led circuit

Electronics

Analog sensor test

Electronics: Day 2¶

The following day, we attended a workshop exploring the precedents of wearables. Furthermore, we received a comprehensive tutorial on creating a sensor, considerations when writing Arduino code, and data visualization. We concluded the workshop with the analog sensor and then began to explore circuit development by integrating other electrical components.

Analog Sensor vs Digital Sensor¶

Sensor diagram The first image illustrates the layers of the analog sensor. A velostat layer, positioned in the center, allows for a gradual electrical connection when pressure is applied. The thick fabric serves as an insulator, separating positive and negative charges.

The image on the right depicts the digital sensor, an on/off device.

For the final project, I used the sensor without Velostat. I added a layer of copper fabric and two layers of thicker insulating material. I placed a hole in the center of the material to allow contact only when the button was pressed. This sensor is more sensitive and functional due to the use of thicker fabric to make the sensor. I created a new digital circuit integrating three LEDs connected to an Adafruit board and programmed with the 'blink' code.

Movment explorations 0.1¶

I am particularly interested in using Arduino to create circuits that enable the generation of movement patterns in textiles. For this reason, I began exploring how I could move different layers of fabric using a vibration motor. After several attempts, I managed to create the movement; however, I was interested in generating an option that did not require energy. Therefore, I sewed the fabric with low-thickness wire and placed magnets that allow for movement and add weight to certain parts of the fabric.

describe what you see in this image

Adafruit & Tinkercad¶

Later, I began exploring the connections of 3 LEDs in sequence with their respective resistors (330 Ω) and connected them to a button. Then, I used Adafruit software to create a light pattern, but the Adafruit model I had was different from the one I was using. I transferred the information to Tinkercad Circuit and created a simple blink sequence. The LEDs inserted into the bag function with the button and the Adafruit software.

Blink test

Adafruit sketch

```
forever(function () {
light.showRing(
"red red red red red red red red red red"
)

pause(100)
for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
    light.showRing(
    `red black black black red red black black black red`
    )

    pause(200)
    light.showRing(
    `black black blue blue black black blue blue black black`
    )

    light.showRing(
    `green green black black green green black black green green`
    )

    for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
        light.showRing(
        `yellow black yellow black yellow yellow black yellow black yellow`
        )

        light.showRing(
        `pink purple pink purple pink pink purple pink purple pink`
        )

        light.showRing(
        `white pink purple black black black black black black black`
        )

        light.showRing(
        `black black pink purple blue black black black black black`
        )

        light.showRing(
        `black black black black black green yellow orange black black`
        )

        light.showRing(
        `black black black black black black black yellow orange red`
        )

    }
    light.showRing(
    `white white white white white white white white white white`
    )

Mockup Adafruit

Arduino sketch

// void setup()
{

const int ledPin = 12;

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledPin 12; OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  int s1 = analogRead(A0);
  int s2 = analogRead(A1);

  int w1 = map(s1, 0, 1023, 0, 255);
  int w2 = map(s2, 0, 1023, 0, 255);
  int b = map(s1 + s2, 0, 2046, 0, 255);

  analogWrite(ledPin, w1);
  delay(500);
  analogWrite(ledPin, 0);
  delay(500);

  analogWrite(ledPin, w2);
  delay(500);
  analogWrite(ledPin, 0);
  delay(500);

  analogWrite(ledPin, b);
  delay(500);
  analogWrite(ledPin, 0);
  delay(500);
}

Movement explorations 0.2¶

After connecting the LEDs, I was still intrigued by the possibility of generating more obvious movement using the vibration motor. To do this, I created a prototype using recycled foam, copper wire, and tape. After seeing that it worked as I wanted, I began to develop the piece in fabric and insert it into the bag. On the other hand, to ensure that the piece worked and that the motor did not receive an overload of energy, I performed a circuit simulation in Tinkercad.