5. E-textiles¶
Research¶
This week, I learned about the topic of e-textiles, which creates dynamic and responsive materials by fusing fabric and electronics, as it was completely new to me. I looked at all the field’s innovations as well as the tools and technological advancements that support them. All of the techniques for creating soft, flexible circuits and how they are incorporated into clothing or other textile based items became clear to me.
The process of experimenting was intriguing and enjoyable, even amongst the technical aspects that made me feel overwhelmed at times. I was able to start coding and electronics with more knowledge than before due to the constant building and troubleshooting involved.
Nadia Attmore
References & Inspiration¶
The human heart served as my primary source of inspiration for this week’s research into e-textiles, both as a natural organ and as a symbol of passion and life in design. My general idea of the human body as the basis of fashion was sparked by the way of the heart’s rhythmic action and how it reflects the never ending pulse of creation.
I found pictures to help me grasp the anatomy and function of the heart, including digital drawings, medical diagrams, and realistic anatomical illustrations.
I used these illustrations to help me visualize the layout of the circuit, considering the connection point to be the “artery” that carried energy throughout the system. In order to map out how the sensors, LEDs, and conductive threads may visually depict the heartbeat, I made a few designs before creating my circuit. My ability to visualize the circuit's function and symbolize the notion of “fashion with a pulse”.
- San Jose Matthew
Tools¶
- LilyPad Arduino board
- Conductive thread
- LED lights
- Alligator clips
- Resistors
- USB connection cable
- Arduino IDE
- LilyPad software
Websites¶
- [Instructables]
(https://www.instructables.com/Using-a-LilyPad-Pressure-Sensor-to-Monitor-Bird-Fo/)
- [Learn SparkFun]
(https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/getting-started-with-lilypad/all)
Process and workflow¶
My sketches are ...
This week’s experimentation required a combination of digital tools, electronic components, and manual work. The LilyPad Arduino board, resistors, conductive thread, LED lights, clips, and USB cord were the main supplies I used. Additionally, I used LilyPad software and the Arduino IDE to program and test my circuit.
I started by downloading and setting up the software to make sure my computer and the LilyPad board could communicate with another. After connecting them, I tried different sample codes to get a feel of how analog and digital inputs reacted to changes in their color within the sensor. In order to see how electricity would pass through each port, I started by drawing the circuit board on my iPad for a diagram.
Throughout the week, I alternated between coding tests and hardware troubleshooting, learning the right way to find any errors and gradually getting a better understanding of how each command controls a specific outcome.
However, one of the major challenges I encountered during this project was identifying why my LilyPad board was not working properly. After a full day of testing difficult connections and adjusting the code, I figured out that the issue was not with my circuit or my coding, but with the board itself. The Lilypad I had been using had faulty ports that weren’t sending strong signals, and it was putting out low voltages across different ports on the board. After testing this theory with another LilyPad and seeing it work immediately, I knew that my board was indeed faulty and switched them out.
Once I replaced them, the circuit began to respond correctly, reassuring me that it wasn’t my fault this time LOL.
Code Example¶
// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
// initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
pinMode(11, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
digitalWrite(11, HIGH); // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
delay(1000); // wait for a second
digitalWrite(11, LOW); // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
delay(1000); // wait for a second
}
Results¶
Video¶
From Vimeo¶
Sound Waves from George Gally (Radarboy) on Vimeo.