9. Wearables

To introduce us to Wearables Week, our instructor-led a workshop on the types of pigments we can use to create thermochromic patterns. We then conducted a practical exercise where we mixed the pigment with Acramina Ink, cleaned the screen, selected a design, and printed it. Additionally, Petra showcased various pigment samples that react to temperature and change color, pigments that disappear when exposed to heat, and those that react to light. She also demonstrated how different pigments respond when connected to a conductive thread and electricity.

Thermocromic pigment workshop by Petra Garajova

We also participated in an Arduino workshop where we explored developing code to flip and change the tones of an LED strip. To conclude the educational experience, we attended a workshop on using the embroidery machine, which was well-structured, precise, and informative.

Digital prototype

References & Inspiration

Photo by Mila Lapko

This week, I started looking at inspirational projects such as the research and development of Iga Weglinska’s work. She is a multidisciplinary designer and researcher specializing in human-garment interactions. One of her projects that particularly caught my attention was Emotional Clothing and Sensory Prosthesis Garments. In this project, she explored the development of small samples of reactions generated by human interactions, movement, and changes in material color based on body temperature, light movement, touch response, and breathing. After seeing this work, I discovered another one of her investigations called Reshaped Body, Human Body Augmentation for Live in Orbit in 2030, where she explores the possibility of adapting the human body to the extreme conditions of outer space and using AI technology to create synthographs of body augmentations. These devices monitor and adjust physiological data such as blood count, electromyography, body hydration and oxygenation, blood pressure, visual acuity, noise exposure, and sleep quality.

Photo by Ying Gao

Another precedent I also studied for the development of movement was Ying Gao, a fashion designer who creates interactive pieces using basic electronic principles to create organic forms and interactive pieces that she integrates into garments. I find her work very interesting because of its functionality and the mix of materials she uses in her interactive pieces.

By Ying Gao

Process and workflow

Digital Tools

• Arduino Uno
• Rhinoceros 3D
• Adobe Illustrator
• Inkscape Ebroidery

Tools & materials

• Acramina ink
• Thermocromic pigment
• Screen & squeegee
• Textile
• Conductive - resistive theads
• Adhesive Vinyl

V0.1 stencil thermochromic ink GRG

V0.2 embroidered thermochromic ink GRG

Thermochromic Screen Printing Step by Step:

Create your design:

• If you don't have emulsion for screen printing:
• Cut a stencil with a laser cutter
• Use adhesive vinyl
• Select the thermochromic pigment
• Mix the pigment

Frame preparation:

• Tape the design to the frame
• If your design has a specific orientation, position it so it reads correctly when printed
• Place the ink in a uniform line at the top of the frame

Printing:

• Use a squeegee to spread the ink across the surface
• Repeat the process (make several passes to ensure good coverage)
• Remove the frame

Circuit integration:

• Design a simple circuit with a conductive thread, ensuring it has an input and output for connecting electronic components

Connect the components: 

• You can add resistors and other electronic components to control the color-changing temperature and protect the fabric

Results

V0.2 embroidered thermochromic ink GRG

1: pattern a thermochromic ink
2: conductive thread connected in to a battery

This ink is luminescent when exposed to a light source. You can project a pattern into the textile using a device such as a smartphone flashlight, and the resulting design will fluoresce in dark spaces.

Light patterns, GRG

Movement

Tools & materials

• Electronic kit
• Crocodile clips x4
• Ada Flora Fruit
• Conductive Thread
• Sequins (blue, black & purple)
• Metal pin x2
• Copper wire
• Copper tape
• Welding kit
• 1000k resistor
• Metal pin x2
• Rechargeable battery

Movement Step by Step:

• Look for something that inspires you (Pinterest)
• Use Adobe Illustrator or Rhinoceros to create a design
• Print your design in a laser cutter machine
• Make a coil of copper wire with a positive and negative end
• Secure the coil to a surface
• Make a surface with a magnet
• Upload your code to the Arduino Flora board
• Connect the copper coil and test the movement

Beetle Shape:

• Attach the copper coil to the beetle piece
• Connect the coil and magnet in the center, simulating an eye
• Place the coil above and the magnet below (this order is crucial for smooth movement)
• Connect the Flora board to the flip code
• Use sequins or beads to decorate the shape

It's important to include a delay in your code. If you connect the battery directly to the copper, the movement will err.

Design process diagram

Design Process Diagram / Germarilis Ruiz

Laser cutter settings

• Material thickness: 1.5 mm
• Speed: 10
• Power: 25

Code - Movement (FLIP)

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  pinMode(9, HIGH);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
  Serial.println("On");
  delay(3000);

  digitalWrite(9, LOW);
  Serial.println("Off");

  delay(500);
}

Prototype - Movement test

Results

Open & Close GRG T-shirt mockup GRG

NeoPixel

Arduino code test

Design Process

V0.2 embroidered thermochromic ink GRG V0.2 embroidered thermochromic ink GRG

Code - light

 include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
 define ONBOARD_NEOPIXEL 8

 define STRIP_LENGHT 4
 define STRIP_PIN 9
 Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(4, 9, NEO_RGB);
 Adafruit_NeoPixel onboard = Adafruit_NeoPixel(1, ONBOARD_NEOPIXEL, NEO_GRB);

 void setup() {
 onboard.begin();
 onboard.setBrightness(30);
 onboard.show();

 strip.begin();
 strip.setBrightness(30);
 strip.show();

}

 void loop() {
 strip.setPixelColor(0,strip.Color(242,10,0));
 strip.setPixelColor(1, strip.Color(23,76,209));
 strip.setPixelColor(2, strip.Color(100,76,0));
 strip.setPixelColor(3, strip.Color(242,22,125));
 strip.show();
 delay(500);

 strip.clear();
 strip.setPixelColor(0,strip.Color(112,193,179));
 strip.show();
 delay(500);
 strip.setPixelColor(1, strip.Color(0,6,255));
 strip.show();
 delay(500);
 strip.setPixelColor(2, strip.Color(255,0,0));
 strip.show();
 delay(500);
 strip.setPixelColor(3, strip.Color(1,255,15));
 strip.show();
 delay(500);


 }

Fabrication files

• File: Design GRG