ElectroDermis
Fully Untethered, Stretchable, and Highly-Customizable Electronic Bandages
Author :Eric Markvicka, Guanyun Wang, Yi-Chin Lee, Gierad Laput, Carmel Majidi, Lining Yao
Role: Interface designer and digital fabrication
Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Abstract
Wearables have emerged as an increasingly promising interactive platform, imbuing the body with always-available computational capabilities. This unlocks a wide range of applications, including discreet information access, health, fitness, and fashion. Unlike previous platforms, wearable electronics require structural conformity, must be comfortable, and should be soft, elastic, and aesthetically appealing.We introduce ElectroDermis, a fabrication system that simplifies the creation of wearable electronics that are comfortable, elastic, and fully untethered. We envision a future where electronics can be temporarily attached to the body (like bandages or party masks), but functional and aesthetically pleasing. We describe our system in detail, along with illustrative examples, which we hope researchers and practitioners can leverage. Overall, we believe ElectroDermis offers a complementary approach to wearable electronics—one that places value on the notion of impermanence (i.e., the opposite of tattoos and implants), better conforming to the dynamic nature of the human body.
End-User Design Tool
(a-b) A mobile device is used to 3D scan the target body location that will be used for rendering. (c) From the generated 3D model, a user defines the target reign on a 2D surface. (d) This curve is then projected onto the 3D model. (e) A reduced mesh is generated and (f) the 3D surface is parametrically cut and flattened to provide minimal distortion. The marks provide a mapping between the 3D and 2D surface.
(a) The designer arranges the electronic circuit on the flattened 2D surface. (b) The de- sign tool automatically generates wavy, serpentine shaped electrical wiring between the components and provides significant freedom to customize the pitch, width, and radius of the trace. (c) After placing the electrical components and traces, the designer selects the region where they would like to generate voronoi holes. (d) The final file is exported and processed for laser cut- ting.
Multi-layer Fabrication Process
