12. Skin Electronics¶

This week builds upon the foundations laid during Week 5 (E-Textiles) and Week 9 (Wearables). It brings together the creation of electronic circuits with a focus on integrating them with the human body, specifically exploring the interplay between our skin and gestures.

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Research¶

I found immense amazing project in Katia Vega's interactive makeup projects. Building on this, I envisioned creating a circuit activated by the simple act of pressing one’s lips together. Since my focus was on exploring electronic-skin interfacing, I delved into makeup designs that could elegantly connect the mouth to other areas of the face, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. Katia Vega

References & Inspiration¶

I Inspired by the elegance of anklet tattoos, I explored ways to merge light and cosmetics in electronic-skin interfaces, integrating glowing elements to elevate both functionality and visual appeal.

anklet tattoos

Materials¶

1 Headphone wire

2 Eyelash gel

3 makeup

4 battery

5 XIAO ESP32-C3

6 neopixels

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Process and workflow¶

My sketches are

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Code Example¶

// Pin definition
const int ledPin = 3; // LED connected to GPIO3 (D3)

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set D3 (GPIO3) as OUTPUT
}

void loop() {
  // Blink LED 3 times
  for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn LED on
    delay(500);                 // Wait 500ms
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);  // Turn LED off
    delay(500);                 // Wait 500ms
  }

  // Keep LED on for 10 seconds
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn LED on
  delay(10000);               // Wait 10 seconds

  // Turn off LED for a short pause (optional)
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);  
  delay(500);                 // Small delay before repeating
}

First trials¶

First, I made the mistake of individually gluing components onto my leg, and to be honest, I was afraid. The process felt risky and unfamiliar, making me question both the approach and the outcome

Results¶

First, I tried to embed my circuit into my leg using eyelash gel as an adhesive, but I felt a sense of fear and hesitation because I wasn’t sure what might happen to my body. The uncertainty of how the materials—like the gel, wires, and electronics—might interact with my skin made me question the safety of the process. I was especially concerned about potential allergic reactions, irritation, or unforeseen effects caused by prolonged contact with the gel and the conductive components. This moment made me reflect on the importance of understanding the materials I use, not only for their functionality but also for their impact on the body. It was both an exciting and unsettling experience, pushing me to carefully consider the intersection between technology and the human form.

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and here it is

Video¶

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Fabrication files¶

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File: xxx ↩