12. Skin Electronics¶

Research¶

o Skin Electronics – Summary

Over the past weeks, I have explored e-textiles and wearable technologies, learning how electronics can be integrated into fabrics and everyday clothing. This journey introduced me to foundational electronic skills—designing circuits, stitching conductive threads, embedding sensors, and creating interactive garments. Each step expanded my understanding of how technology can be worn, how it can sense the body, and how it can respond to movement, touch, or environment.

Now, I am taking a deeper step into the next frontier of wearable technology: skin electronics. Unlike wearables stitched onto clothing, skin electronics bring the interface even closer to the body. They are ultra-thin, flexible, stretchable devices that sit directly on the skin like a temporary tattoo or a soft patch. This week, I aim to explore how electronics can meaningfully interact with the skin, both functionally and safely.

Skin electronics combine materials science, digital fabrication, and biomedical principles. They can monitor real-time physiological signals such as temperature, hydration, heart rate, sweat composition, and muscle activity. Because they move with the skin, they feel natural. These technologies inspire new possibilities for health monitoring, sports performance, personal expression, and human–machine interfaces.

References & Inspiration¶

Week's Assignment¶

Tools¶

- [Arduino UNO](http://class.textile-academy.org)
- [Arduino IDE](http://class.textile-academy.org)
- Jumper wires 
- Hall effect sensor

Process and workflow¶

I hall effect sensor to detect magnetic field. I wanted to use it in sensing position changes and speed detection using a magnet.

First I had to code it in ArduinO IDE and connecting the sensor to arduino UNO.

After connecting all the electronic components together, I linked the arduino UNO to my computer to get the readings and code. I had to ensure I was using the correct board port and I had to check in with my device manager.

I used the following code.

Code¶

int sensorPin = 11; // Hall sensor signal pin
int ledPin = 7;    // LED pin

int sensorValue; // current sensor state
int lastSensorValue = 1;     // previous sensor state
int count = 0;               // counts magnet passes

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(1200);
  pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  sensorValue = digitalRead(sensorPin);  // Detect magnet pass (HIGH -> LOW transition)
  if (sensorValue == 0 && lastSensorValue == 1) {
    count++;                         
    Serial.print("Magnet Pass Count: ");
    Serial.println(count);
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);   // LED ON
  }

  // Turn LED OFF when magnet goes away
  if (sensorValue == 1) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  }

  lastSensorValue = sensorValue;     
  delay(50);

When a magnet comes close → sensor outputs HIGH (1) When magnet moves away → sensor outputs LOW (0).

I also programmed it to count the number of passes when it detects the magnet.

I am to use this code on a car seat to know how far the seat has moved, to know proximity of the driver to the seat when in motion.

Results¶

Fabrication files¶

File: xxx ↩
File: xxx ↩