SOFT SMART SENSORS

An evening dress combining yucatecan embroidery and electronics

Soft Smart Sensors is a Studio Session I facilitated at UCSD’s Design Lab on May 21st, 2019 with over 25 students coming from a variety of disciplines within the University. The workshop aimed at giving students an introduction on e-textiles and soft smart sensors are, allow them to create their first soft smart sensor, and connect it to a simple Arduino input-output circuit

GOAL

The goal of the Studio Session was to familiarize students about the amazing possibilities given by e-textiles and soft electronics, especially in the current technological scenario where the miniaturization of circuits and the ability to create soft sensors are becoming more and more ubiquitous.

Students are still learning only the hard-ware of circuits and components, leaving the soft side of electronics aside.

PROCESS

The Studio Session was planned ahead with the support of the Design Lab staff, in particular Nina Baker and Michael Ano.

The idea was to have a good mix of theory and practice, in order for the concepts explained to the students would sink in through experiential learning. Also, the students would be able to take their first soft smart sensor at home with them :)

Kits were prepared with: Arduino UNO, Felt for the soft sensor, conductive fabric, fusible interfacing, jumpers, vibration motors, LEDs

The students first designed the shape and size of their soft sensor (a push button), then cut it and applied the fusible interfacing to then fuse the conductive fabric on top of it.

After that, they tested their sensor by connecting it to a circuit powered by an Arduino that would allow them to push the button to either turn an LED on or a vibration motor.

OUTCOME

Of the 10-12 students typically expected for a Studio Session, the Soft Smart Sensor session received over 25 students.

It was a huge unexpected success and regardless of the much higher number of participants, there was enough material and time for the workshop were enough to allow them to create their sensor. Not every student was familiar with Arduino, and some had NEVER used an iron before !!!

The next session will be in November 2019. Stay tuned!