I am using Chang Liu‘s custom sensor (fan) to turn 3 LEDs on and off. The narrative behind these sensors is that there is a fire (red LEDs) to be put out and the only way to put it out is with a fan.

I extended Chang’s copper stripes so it would be more sensitive to movement. As I move the fan, the copper tape would touch each other and the LEDs would turn off.

Below is the Arduino code:

This is a sample video of the sensor:

https://vimeo.com/235452325

Here is the explanation video for kids:

https://vimeo.com/235486618

Here is a short video showing my 4 switches.

From this experience, I had a lot of fun with finding things that surrounded you to make possible switches, such as plastic cup lids!

Disclaimer: For week 3 project, I was under the impression that I needed to create four different switches… after I finishes someone mentioned that we were meant to create four of the same type of switch or pressure sensor. That said, Here are my four switch projects! ~~~

For this set of switches, I was trying to create a set of individual buttons that, when pressed, would light up a corresponding light! Also, I wanted each button press to be satisfying to the touch for the user. So I used conductive fabric and cardboard to make the buttons easier of the fingers! I also used a thick piece of foam to allow for greater travel when pressing down on the button. FEELS GREAT! 🙂

Project 2:

Next project, I wanted to create another series of individual switches. However for this set, I wanted to do this with pull switches that required a sliding motion!

Project 3:

My third project is a resister made with copper tape and Popsicle sticks with a resistive fabric in between. The crossing pattern is also an attempt to control the level of current that can be passed from the positive panel to the negative.

Project 4:

The last switch I’ve made is based on the old, Ball and Cup Game. The cup has a negative current while the ball is connected to the positive with a conductive string. Once the ball lands inside of the cup it completes the circuit and the light turns on, give the player extra satisfaction for achieving their goal!

In this week, I am doing a set of turning switch, which means when 2 conductive pieces match together, the LED will lights up.

1. Strawberry switch: The seeds on the body are made by a same conductive thread. The leaf has conductive tape in the back. When the user turn the leaf on to the right place, then the LED will lights up.

2. Russian Roulette: The turning circle is Inspired by the Russian roulette. I have conductive tape in the back, so that the same species matches up, the LED will light up. Maybe it can be a small game for kids?

3. A pattern turning switch: 3 different patterns made by conductive tape. When all the 3 patterns layout on the same roll, the LED will lights up! And also, the user will see a new pattern. In this switch, when the patterns’ angles become larger, the LED light will become weaker.

I wanted to I have always been fond of crafting, but I always had difficulties when dealing with materials, so I wanted to take this opportunity to play around more with conductivity in materials as well as finding ways to work around them.

For this project, I created a series of necklace charms that also serve as tilt switches. Initially, I wanted the whole circuit to be integrated within the charms, but I couldn’t work around the circuit, so I decided to leave copper flaps on the backside of the charm so I can keep working on them for later projects.

The circuit itself is fairly simple, as the tilting relies mostly on either the dangling copper objects touching or the conductive threads touching.

I began by cutting out shapes and covering them with copper sheets. This process was actually hard as the copper sheets kept ripping off. I had to use a thick double sided tape to make the copper sheets stay in place. I also covered some beads with copper tape. Then I attached the conductive wire across the shapes and the beads.

Then I sew the tape onto a piece of felt and expanded the wire with copper tape and made flaps. I also covered the copper tape with a layer of tape so they wouldn’t overlap and short circuit.

Then I sew the two sides together and attached the charm caps.

If further expanded, these charms could be converted into earrings; and would work very well in rave parties, where movement and lighting add to the atmosphere.

Demo video: