FEBRUARY 14 - 19, 2021

ONLINE, Anywhere on Earth

Fiber-Sense

Aaron Chooi

Two multimeters connected to the swatch sample for measuring

ABSTRACT

In this investigation we present a material driven inquiry into fibreglass and the hand lay-up technique of composite lamination, as well as its affordances for the development of a tangible user interface. This was achieved by taking an in-depth look at woven fibreglass and its propensities as a craft material through its varying states of pliable fabric, wetted mesh and hardened composite. Through this, we propose the potential design of a pressure activated fibreglass skin for rigid and semi rigid fibreglass structures. Primarily through the means of a tri layer laminated fibreglass structure, with a polypyrrole treated fibreglass core sandwiched between 2 embroidered conductive fibreglass layers.

MATERIALS

Fiberglass plain woven mats, steel conduc-tive thread, polypyrrole treated fiberglass mat, vinyl ester binding resin and graphite powder.

TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

Janome Memory Craft 9700 Embroidery Machine, Magnetic stirring plate, Various glass beakers.

Schematic drawing of the fibreglass layers and conductive thread that build up the swatch

THANKS & CREDITS

The Inspirational work of PolySense, The Embroided Computer and Sensing Kirigami.

LINK(S)

https://www.you-tube.com/watch?v=6Q0ZB9m06o

VIDEO

JURY STATEMENT

This is super cool. I’m impressed by the creative use of polymerization and I find the following motivation stated in the paper: “I see a potential in integrating electronics and computation during the design and fabrication of fiberglass objects; as opposed to post-production instrumentation.” believable.