12. Skin Electronics

Research & Inspiration

For this final week, I chose to take the ear as the starting point of my project. For some time now, I have been interested in how the ear works and in the effects of sound volume on our hearing. Having experienced tinnitus myself after attending several parties where the music was far too loud, I realized how fragile our hearing truly is. This experience pushed me to think about ways to fully enjoy a night out while still protecting our auditory health. Working on this project has helped me better understand the importance of protecting our ears before it’s too late, and to show that it is absolutely possible to live intense, musical, joyful moments, without putting our hearing in danger.

Sound is measured in decibels (dB), and our ears are not designed to withstand very high levels. Beyond a certain threshold, sound vibrations become strong enough to damage the hair cells in the inner ear—tiny, extremely fragile cells that capture sound and convert it into nerve signals. Once damaged, these cells do not regenerate. From 85 dB, prolonged exposure can begin to cause harm.

At 100 dB, damage can occur within minutes. At concerts, clubs, or parties, levels often reach 105 to 110 dB, or even more near the speakers.

Possible consequences include: - Tinnitus (persistent ringing or buzzing) - Hyperacusis (heightened sensitivity to sound) - Progressive or permanent hearing loss - Auditory fatigue, sometimes reversible but already a sign of overload

The danger is that these effects are not always felt immediately. You may think “it’s fine,” yet acoustic damage is already happening.

Protecting your ears doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy music: using filtered earplugs, staying farther from speakers, taking breaks, or developing prevention tools can help preserve your hearing while still fully enjoying festive moments. This is why I chose to work on an electronic device this week to help protect our ears while still being able to dance all night long. It does not directly protect us from the sound, but it raises awareness. By using a decibel sensor, it can signal excessively loud environments with a light indicator. If the light turns off or switches to red, it means the party is over for now—it’s time to find a bit of quiet.

References & Inspiration

• Coded Bodies
• Jingwen Zhu, Vital Wear
• Jingwen Zhu, Skin Pager

Tools

• Analog Sound Sensor SKU DFR0034
• LED
• MicroBit
• NoePixel
• Fusion 360
• Prusa Slicer
• Wig Tape

Flex for Skin

While waiting for my components to arrive, I first wanted to run some material tests using 3D printing with flexible filament, something I had already started experimenting with during Week 6. To do so, I created different surface designs in Fusion and played with the infill pattern and density to obtain various material effects. All these steps are already explained in detail on my Computational Couture page.

By working with flex filament as a textile-like surface, I was able to create soft, supple materials that behave almost like a second skin or a bandage that naturally conforms to the body’s shape. Its semi-transparent quality interacts subtly with the skin tone, enhancing the impression of a light and discreet support.

I therefore chose to use this material as a base for my electronic components. Placing components directly on the skin could be dangerous: it may cause burns, irritation, or even allow unwanted electrical conduction through the body. The flex material acts as a protective barrier while remaining thin and flexible, making it ideal for a wearable and comfortable device.

Risk Type	Description	Potential Consequences
Skin Burns	Electronic components can heat up during operation, especially LEDs, regulators, or microcontrollers.	Redness, irritation, superficial burns, long-lasting marks.
Electrical Conduction	Skin is humid and conductive, even at low voltages like 3.3V or 5V.	Small shocks, unexpected current paths, increased risk if the skin is sweaty or wet.
Battery Risks	LiPo or other batteries can heat, deform, or leak when in contact with the body.	Chemical burns, overheating, fire hazard if compressed.
Allergic Reactions	Metals, solder, copper wires, and exposed circuits can irritate the skin.	Redness, itching, allergic reactions, oxidation from sweat increasing irritation.
Short Circuits	Moisture, sweat, or skin contact can bridge connections unintentionally.	Device malfunction, sudden heating, potential burns or circuit failure.
Corrosion	Sweat contains salts that corrode metal solder joints and copper traces.	Loss of conductivity, unreliable behavior, long-term circuit damage.
Component Failure	Heat and moisture from the skin affect component stability.	Flickering LEDs, false readings, complete system failure.

Once I had chosen my support material, I began looking for a way to attach my electronic components to the skin without creating any risk. After several tests and some research, I wanted to recreate a “bandage-like” effect, so I decided to use double-sided wig tape, which is specifically designed for sensitive skin.

Solution Type	Description	Advantages	Limitations
Medical-Grade Adhesive Tape	Hypoallergenic tape used in hospitals (e.g., Micropore, Tegaderm).	Skin-safe, breathable, easy to remove.	May not hold heavy components; adhesion weak with sweat.
Silicone Medical Adhesive	Skin-safe silicone glue (e.g., Pros-Aide, medical prosthetic adhesive).	Very gentle, flexible, long-lasting.	More expensive; requires proper removal.
Hydrocolloid Patches	Gel-like bandage used for wounds, very skin-friendly.	Cushions components, reduces irritation.	Thicker; may loosen with heat or movement.
Flexible 3D-Printed Base (TPU/Flex)	Components attached to a printed flexible “skin” layer placed over the body.	Prevents direct contact, distributes pressure, reusable.	Needs an additional attachment method (tape, strap).
Elastic Straps or Fabric Bands	Soft textile band wrapped around the arm/leg/torso.	No adhesives needed, reusable, breathable.	Bulky compared to adhesive options.
Body-Safe Double-Sided Tape	Specifically designed for outfits or prosthetics.	Easy to apply, transparent, skin-safe.	May lose adhesion when sweating.
Wearable Patch with Velcro or Snaps	Electronics mounted on a detachable patch connected to a skin-worn base.	No direct component-to-skin contact; removable.	Slightly more complex to build.
Non-Conductive Barrier Layer	Using fabric, silicone sheet, or thin foam between skin and electronics.	Prevents heat + electrical contact.	Needs an attachment method to remain in place.

Decibel Detector

For my electronic circuit, I originally wanted to use an Analog Sound Sensor and an LED filament that would wrap around the ear like an earpiece. Unfortunately, my package arrived too late for this week, maybe next time!

So I worked with what was available at Green Fabric. I needed a sound sensor, and we had the BBC Micro:bit, which already includes its own microphone. I decided to use it as the base for my electronic circuit.

Since I wanted to connect the Micro:bit to a light emitter, I looked at Carmen’s documentation, as she had already worked with the Micro:bit and Neopixels during her Wearables week. By analyzing her code, I was able to adapt it to what I wanted to do.

The idea was to display a heart on the Micro:bit when the sound level is not too high, and to make the heart disappear when the sound becomes too loud. Then I added a Neopixel. To do this, you need to install the Neopixel extension in the Micro:bit MakeCode interface.

Once that was done, I wanted the Neopixel to show a blue light when the music is safe for the ears, and turn red when it becomes too loud, with light variations reacting to the rhythm of the sound. Note that the Micro:bit microphone does not measure decibels but instead gives an intensity value between 0 and 255. Since there is no direct decibel equivalent, I chose to set the threshold at 140 (about halfway). After testing, it works really well. Once my code was ready, I uploaded it to the Micro:bit and performed my tests using crocodile clips.

You can also use the JavaScript version of the code to copy and paste it directly into the MakeCode interface.

input.onSound(DetectedSound.Loud, function () {
    basic.clearScreen()
})
input.onSound(DetectedSound.Quiet, function () {
    basic.showIcon(IconNames.Heart)
})
let brightness = 0
let lvl = 0
let strip = neopixel.create(DigitalPin.P0, 1, NeoPixelMode.RGB)
// seuil "bruyant"
let threshold = 140
// seuil "bruyant"
basic.forever(function () {
    // niveau sonore 0–255
    lvl = input.soundLevel()
    if (lvl >= threshold) {
        // Son trop fort → LED éteinte
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Red))
    } else {
        // Son correct → LED pulse au rythme du son
        brightness = Math.map(lvl, 0, threshold, 10, 255)
        if (brightness < 10) {
            brightness = 10
        }
        if (brightness > 255) {
            brightness = 255
        }
        strip.setBrightness(brightness)
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Blue))
    }
})

Wear "GlowGuard"

Once my circuit and code were validated, I 3D modeled the flexible modules in Fusion 360 that would house the electronic components. I created one module for each element: the battery, the Micro:bit, and the NeoPixel. I thought that the NeoPixel didn’t necessarily need a structure like a hearing device, but could instead function like a sequin, becoming a makeup accessory for a party look. I particularly liked the futuristic, Black Mirror-inspired style of implants on the temples.

I printed all the modules using flexible filament, with a 10% infill and a concentric pattern, so they would remain soft and adaptable, conforming comfortably to the skin.

While the prints were in progress, I began connecting the components using a flexible wire covered with a green sheath, matching the Micro:bit and reminiscent of headphone cables. Once the connections were made, I stripped the insulation at each end, twisted the metal strands together, and then secured everything by soldering with tin.

Once all the parts were assembled, I attached double-sided wig tape to the back of each flexible support, and here is the result worn !