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    Content by Mika Satomi and Hannah Perner-Wilson
    E-Textile Tailor Shop by KOBAKANT
    The following institutions have funded our research and supported our work:

    Since 2020, Hannah is guest professor of the Spiel&&Objekt Master's program at the University of Performing Arts Ernst Busch in Berlin

    From 2013-2015 Mika was a guest professor at the eLab at Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee

    From July - December 2013 Hannah was a researcher at the UdK's Design Research Lab

    From 2010-2012 Mika was a guest researcher in the Smart Textiles Design Lab at The Swedish School of Textiles

    From 2009 - 2011 Hannah was a graduate student in the MIT Media Lab's High-Low Tech research group led by Leah Buechley


    In 2009 Hannah and Mika were both research fellows at the Distance Lab


    Between 2003 - 2009 Hannah and Mika were both students at Interface Cultures
    We support the Open Source Hardware movement. All our own designs published on this website are released under the Free Cultural Works definition
    Workshops

    Interactive Solar T-Shirt

    1 February 2009
    Plug.in
    Basel, Switzerland
    This workshop aims to be an introduction into soft fabric electronic circuits and a DIY concept of wearable technology. Both in our own projects and in workshops we choose to introduce affordable, available, off-the-shelf materials, basic techniques and detailed instructions, so that workshop participants can continue to develop their own ideas and solutions at home. We believe that sewing, soldering and experimenting with materials is not hard and should become everyday practice.



    Since the workshop takes place during the Ying Gao exhibition at the Plug.in gallery, we decided to chose a circuit with mechanical output (as supposed to light or sound). The circuit we chose is the same as Derstrudel uses for their Overheadbots. A small solar cell charges one or two large capacitors, which then naturally discharge, powering a motor. Depending on the amount of sun, the motor will run constantly or in bursts.
    Using this circuit to convey our soft circuit methods and techniques, we would also like to leave creative space for individual expression and design. Another important aspect for us is to encourage the participants to contextualize their wearable. Think about what you want before thinking about what to make. Once you know what you want, there are various ways to express it. The components can be integrated and connected in different ways. The solar cell as power source offers one to think about possible interaction scenarios with the sun. The motor output can be used for rotation, winding and off-centered motion. And everything is situated on the body.

    Downloads

    Download schematic
    Download motor pouch stencil
    Download button battery pouch stencil
    Download single AA battery pouch stencil
    Download double AA battery pouch stencil (coming soon…)

    Relevant Links

    Solar T-Shirt Instructable
    www.KOBAKANT.at
    www.cs.colorado.edu/~buechley
    www.sparkfun.com
    www.lessemf.com
    www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/

    Materials

    Conductive fabric, conductive thread, fusible, poppers, metal faseners, hook-up wire, sponge, velostat, neoprene, regular fabric, regular thread, t-shirts or other (old) clothing items, power supply, components or circuit…

    Tools

    Sewing needles, sewing machine, iron and board, soldering stations, wire cutters, wire strippers, pliers, multi-meters, hole makers, cutting mats, fabric scissors, popper machines, pens and paper…

    Pictures on Flickr




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