12. Skin Electronics¶
This Week: Exploring Skin Electronics¶
This week, we delved into the world of skin electronics. My inspiration came from prosthetics designed for the body, aiming to expand sensory perception and enhance bodily stimulation. I created two different pieces:
First Piece: Alginate Biomaterial Necklace¶
The first piece is a necklace made from an alginate-based biomaterial designed to stimulate the thymus gland.
The thymus gland is located in the chest, in the upper part of the thorax, just beneath the sternum. When stimulated, this gland helps regulate stress, anxiety, and more. For this reason, I incorporated a vibrating motor into the necklace to provide stimulation.
PROCESS
Mold Creation: I started by sculpting the mold in clay.
Material Preparation: I prepared a mixture of alginate, water, and glycerin, adding black dye for coloration.
Casting: After pouring the mixture into the mold, I unmolded the piece once it had set and allowed it to dry (photo).
Circuit Design: I created a simple circuit using a 3V coin battery and a soft button. When pressed, the motor activates, and it turns off when released.
Final Touch: The final piece turned out well; however, it continues to dry and shrink over time.
Second Piece: Silicone Necklace with Back Motors¶
Due to the shrinking issue with the alginate material, I decided to try again using silicone.
PROCESS
Mold Creation: I sculpted a new mold in clay.
Casting: I poured the silicone into the mold and let it set for four hours before unmolding the piece.
Circuit Design: For this version, I decided to innovate by adding three motors positioned on the back of the necklace. I adjusted the length of the wires based on the placement of the components.
Purpose
The motors are connected to a potentiometer, allowing the intensity of the vibrations to be regulated. These vibrations are designed to stimulate the body, as they can improve blood flow and promote relaxation.
Final:
Tools¶
Potentiometer Vibration Motor Wires 9-Volt Battery Coin battery Silicon