12. Skin Electronics

Research

This project explores the use of creative and experimental materials to demonstrate an understanding of electrical conductivity. It introduces unconventional interfaces and alternative forms of conductive textiles that can be sewn, cut, glued, or illustrated.

Conductive thread turns clothing, or in this case, a mannequin hand ring stand, into a control surface that reacts to touch and movement by enabling fabric and other soft materials to transmit electrical signals in the same manner as wires. The body itself becomes an interface for engaging with digital systems, which can be translated into actions like lighting or sound effects, by sewing sensors into wearable.

References & Inspiration

Kate Vega pushed me to consider the body as a possible connection which questioned my way of thinking. This covers not just skin but also hair, nails, and facial movements. By combining materials and electronics, any conductive surface can be utilized to activate technology through buttons, sensors, or controls.

I was excited about studying Vega's unconventional conductive materials in stage production and costume design, drawing on my experience as a dancer and performer. With integrated wearable sensors sending electricity that may activate LED lights and other outputs, this reference made it easier for me to see the whole live performance experience for the audience.

Process and workflow

Supply List

        ⁃    Mannequin hand ring stand 
        ⁃    Coin cell battery 
        ⁃    Coin cell battery holder with on/off switch
        ⁃    LED sewable conductive boards 
        ⁃    Acrylic fingernails
        ⁃    Conductive thread 
        ⁃    Regular sewing needle
        ⁃    Needle threader
        ⁃    Felt 
        ⁃    Tape
        ⁃    Glue gun and glue sticks
        ⁃    Scissors

    Step 1: Glue the acrylic nails onto the mannequin hand.

    Step 2: Glue or tape the coin cell battery holder to the base of the mannequin hand.

    Step 3: Glue one felt square onto each finger.

    Step 4: Sew the positive connections
         Cut approximately 20 inches of conductive thread and thread the needle.
         Sew from the positive (+) pad of the battery holder. Loop the thread 3–4 times and pull tight.
         Continue sewing to the felt square on the thumb.
         Sew the positive (+) pad of the LED board onto the felt square.
         Repeat this process for the remaining four fingers.
        Be careful to route your thread so it does not cross the negative paths later.

    Step 5: Sew the negative connections
        Repeat Step 4 using the negative (–) pads on both the battery holder and LED boards, making sure the positive and negative threads do not touch.

    Step 6: Check that no conductive threads are crossing or touching. If clear, cut the thread.

    Step 7: Use transparent tape to secure any loose thread ends.

    Step 8: Insert the CR2032 battery into the holder.

    Step 9: Turn on the battery holder switch.

Code Example

// Touch input pins
const int touchPins[5] = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6};

// LED output pins
const int ledPins[5] = {8, 9, 10, 11, 12};

void setup() {
// Set up touch pins as inputs with pullup resistors
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    pinMode(touchPins[i], INPUT_PULLUP);
    pinMode(ledPins[i], OUTPUT);
}

Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    int touchState = digitalRead(touchPins[i]);

    // When touched, circuit closes → LOW
    if (touchState == LOW) {
    digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
    Serial.print("Finger ");
    Serial.print(i);
    Serial.println(" touched");
    } else {
    digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
    }
}
}

Results

Video

From Vimeo