Design Clothing with Built-In Sensors

Summary

Areas of Science

Electricity & Electronics

Difficulty

Method

Engineering Design Process

Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Credits

Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qme0DYXcF-0

Abstract

Have you ever worn a costume that lit up or played sound? Have you ever wished you had a suit of armor with built-in moving parts like a superhero? What if you could make your costume or suit react to your own movements or even other people who bump into you? The Science Buddies activity Weaving a Wearable Touch Sensor shows you how to make a capacitive sensor that responds to touch and can be woven directly into fabric (Figure 1). Can you design a piece of clothing that includes one or more of these sensors and use them to activate lights, speakers, or even motors built-in to the clothing? For example, can you make a piece of clothing that changes colors when you touch different parts of the fabric? How about a superhero-style utility belt that activates different features of a costume? What about an alarm that buzzes if someone tries to grab your bag? The possibilities are endless!

For many more wearable Arduino-compatible parts and additional sensors, check out the LilyPad product line from SparkFun Electronics or the FLORA line from Adafruit.

Image Credit: Jennifer Lee, Science Buddies / Science Buddies
Figure 1. A woven capacitive touch sensor and small wearable Arduino used to control an LED.

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Global Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Careers

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Electrical & Electronics Engineer

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Career Profile

Just as a potter forms clay, or a steel worker molds molten steel, electrical and electronics engineers gather and shape electricity and use it to make products that transmit power or transmit information. Electrical and electronics engineers may specialize in one of the millions of products that make or use electricity, like cell phones, electric motors, microwaves, medical instruments, airline navigation system, or handheld games. Read more

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