Topics:

The main area I would like to pursue in this independent study is a deeper dive into the integration of textiles and technology. Some possibilities I would like to explore include:

• Creating fiber/textile sensors

• Nitinol “muscle” wire

• Conductive textiles

• Screen printing conductive paint

• Acid etching copper taffeta

I would also like to refine the programming on my existing Arduino projects (the Moodie and the Robe a la Foudre) and do more explorations into the application of biometric sensor data to my designs.

Final Project(s):

I will do some exploration and experimentation of each technique before choosing the 3 most successful/relevant techniques. I will then expand each of the 3 techniques into a small “proof of concept” project that is suitable for exhibition.

Calendar:

Week 1 [2/3 – 2/9]

• Order supplies

• Test vinegar etching on copper taffeta

Week 2 [2/10 – 2/16]

• Spinning conductive fibers

• Knit/crochet conductive yarn

Week 3 [2/17 – 2/23]

• Continue knit/crochet sensor experiments

• Test options with other conductive textiles

• weaving?

Week 4 [2/24 – 3/2]

• Test nitinol wire uses/limitations

Week 5 [3/3 – 3/9]

• Test conductive paint screen printing

• Test screen printing resist on copper taffeta

Week 6 [3/10 – 3/16]

• Test dyeing etched copper taffeta

• vast disperse dye vs. heat set

Week 7 [3/17 – 3/23]

• Project 1 begin

Week 8 [3/24 – 3/30]

• Project 1 cont.

Week 9 [3/31 – 4/6]

• Project 1 completed

• Project 2 begin

Week 10 [4/7 – 4/13]

• Project 2 (cont.)

Week 11 [4/14 – 4/20]

• Project 2 completed

Week 12 [4/21 – 4/27]

• Project 3 begin

Week 13 [4/28 5/4]

• Project 3 (cont.)

Week 14 [5/5 5/9]

• Project 3 completed