5. E-textiles¶
Build One Analog and One Digital Soft Sensor¶
Introduction¶
This week, we explored e-textiles, a fascinating field that combines electronics with textiles to create interactive fabrics. As someone new to this concept, I was excited to learn how to build soft sensors using everyday materials. My goal was to create an analog pressure sensor and a digital tilt sensor that could be integrated into fabric swatches.
**# Analog Sensor: Aluminum Foil Pressure Sensor
Materials:**¶
Aluminum foil
Sponge (cut into a small square)
Stripped earphone wires
Tape
Construction:¶
Cut two 5cm x 5cm squares of aluminum foil.
Place the sponge between the foil layers to act as a spacer.
Tape the edges to secure the layers, leaving one side open.
Attach stripped earphone wires to each foil layer using tape.
How It Works:¶
When pressed, the foil layers touch through the sponge, reducing resistance.
Arduino reads this as an increase in voltage (analog value).
# Digital Sensor: Bottle Cap Tilt Switch
Materials:¶
Plastic bottle cap
Two aluminum foil strips
Metal bead or small screw
Stripped earphone wires
Construction:¶
Tape two foil strips inside the bottle cap, leaving a gap between them.
Place a metal bead inside the cap.
Attach stripped earphone wires to each foil strip with tape.
How It Works:¶
When tilted, the bead rolls and connects the foil strips, closing the circuit.
Arduino detects this as a digital signal (HIGH/LOW).
Sensor Project Documentation and Arduino Readings¶
Introduction¶
After building the sensors, I connected them to an Arduino to measure their responses. This step helped me understand how physical interactions (like pressing or tilting) translate into electronic signals.
Analog Pressure Sensor¶
Arduino Setup:
-
Connect one wire to A0 and the other to GND.
-
code:
Readings:¶
No pressure: ~0-50 (open circuit).
Light press: ~100-300.
Firm press: ~500-800.
Digital Tilt Sensor¶
Arduino Setup:
-
Connect one wire to D2 and the other to GND.
-
Code:
Readings:¶
Flat: 0 (open circuit).
Tilted: 1 (bead bridges the foil strips).
Sensor Integration into Textile Swatches¶
Introduction¶
To make the sensors wearable, I integrated them into fabric swatches. This step taught me how to combine electronics with textiles in a practical way.
Pressure Sensor Swatch:
Taped the foil/sponge sensor to a fabric square.
Connected wires to safety pins for easy Arduino attachment.
Tilt Sensor Swatch:
Glued the bottle cap to another fabric square.
Wires secured with tape and connected to safety pins.
Circuit Schematics¶
Documenting the circuit schematics helped me visualize how the sensors connect to the Arduino and understand the flow of electricity.
Pressure Sensor:
[Foil Layer 1] ----(Wire)----> A0
[Foil Layer 2] ----(Wire)----> GND
Tilt Sensor:
[Foil Strip 1] ----(Wire)----> D2
[Foil Strip 2] ----(Wire)----> GND
**
Swatch/Sample Photos¶
Video Description¶
Conclusion¶
This assignment was a great introduction to e-textiles. Despite being new to this field, I successfully built and documented two soft sensors using simple materials. I’m excited to continue exploring how electronics and textiles can work together to create innovative designs.