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12. Skin Electronics

INTRODUCTION

This week focused on Skin Electronics, combining wearability, aesthetics, and functionality. The goal was to design a wearable prototype that seamlessly integrates electronics onto the skin using unconventional and innovative materials.

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Concept

The project explores the intersection of technology and self-expression through wearable skin electronics. Inspired by the fusion of art and science, the idea is to develop a skin-worn interactive light display using neopixels controlled by a XIAO ESP32-C3 microcontroller. The concept draws from:

• Body adornment traditions, reimagined with modern technology. • The rising trend of biometric wearables, where electronics serve functional and decorative purposes.

Sketches

Key design elements in the sketches include: • Flexible circuits designed with headphone wires. • Strategic placement of neopixels for aesthetic symmetry. • Integration of makeup to conceal circuits and blend with the skin’s surface. • Use of eyelash gel as a medium to secure and insulate electronic pathways.

References to Artistic and Scientific Publications

Artistic References

  1. Self-healing electronic skin: Stanford University researchers have developed an electronic skin capable of healing itself by combining a self-healing plastic and nickel, a conductive metal. Unlike self-healing polymers developed by other researchers, this skin did not require a high temperature or UV light to activate.

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  1. Lighting electronic skin

Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley have created an electronic skin that lights up when touched. Pressure triggered a reaction in the skin that lit up blue, green, red and yellow LEDs; as pressure increased the lights got brighter.

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Scientific References

  1. "Electronic Skin" by Takao Someya et al. (2019): Explores the development of flexible electronics that mimic skin’s properties for wearable applications.
  2. "Conductive Ink Applications in Wearable Electronics" (2020): Highlights the role of conductive inks in creating seamless, flexible electronic designs.
  3. "Wearable LEDs for Personalized Aesthetic and Health Monitoring" (2021): Discusses the use of LED arrays for dual-purpose applications in fashion and health tech.

Tools and Materials Used

Materials

  1. Headphone wire – Lightweight, flexible conductive material for pathways.
  2. Eyelash gel – Acts as an adhesive and protective coating for circuits.
  3. Makeup – Blends the electronic design into the skin for aesthetic appeal.
  4. Battery – Powers the circuit.
  5. XIAO ESP32-C3 – Compact microcontroller for programming and controlling neopixels.
  6. Neopixels – RGB LEDs for interactive light displays.
Tools

• Soldering iron • Multimeter • Tweezers • Arduino IDE (for coding and programming the XIAO ESP32-C3)

Steps Followed

Concept Development and Research

• Reviewed references and existing projects on skin electronics. • Defined functionality: interactive, wearable light display with artistic elements.

Sketching the Design

• Created rough sketches outlining the placement of components, wire paths, and neopixels.

Prototyping the Circuit

• Assembled the circuit using headphone wires and neopixels. • Used eyelash gel to adhere the wires and seal connections. • Integrated makeup to blend the design seamlessly onto the skin.

Programming and Testing

• Uploaded a light pattern program to the XIAO ESP32-C3 using Arduino IDE. • Tested the circuit’s functionality with a multimeter and made adjustments.

Final Prototype Description

The final prototype is a skin-worn light display that:

• Features an interactive neopixel array. • Blends seamlessly with the skin using makeup. • Is powered by a lightweight battery and controlled by a XIAO ESP32-C3.

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Code Example

Use the three backticks to separate code.

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  pinMode(A0,INPUT);
  pinMode(3,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(4,OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(9600);

}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
int state;
state = analogRead(A0);
Serial.println(state);
//if(state<500){
//  digitalWrite(3,1);
//  digitalWrite(4,1);
//}
//else{
//  digitalWrite(3,0);
//  digitalWrite(4,0);
//}
}

Results

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PROJECT FUNCTIONALITY

CommuniLight – Wearable Non-Verbal Expression System

This skin electronics project explores how light can become a language. By placing LEDs on the chest, the system gives non-verbal users a new way to express emotions and needs through simple light signals. It would:

  • Helps people with speech or movement disabilities communicate non-verbally
  • Uses colored LEDs to show emotional states (e.g., green = calm, red = distress)
  • Chest placement makes it easy for others to see and respond quickly
  • Works for users with autism, ALS, cerebral palsy, or stroke recovery
  • Can be linked with sensors (heart rate, skin temp) for real-time feedback
  • Supports independence and safety in daily life
  • Useful in emergencies where verbal speech is not possible
  • Promotes inclusive design and emotional connection through wearable tech

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