At times using wires in a project might not be the most practical option because of space/weight limitations. If that is the case then you should take a look at Electric Ink for creating cheap circuits. In fact you can make your own Electric Ink using a process which is quite simple. The good folks at the Popular Science site have provided us with an instruction guide that I am reproducing here so that I don’t loose the instructions in case PopSci decides to reorg their site:
Materials:
- Powdered graphite
- White vinegar
- Syringe
- Elmer’s clear glue (I think any clear glue should work)
Instructions
- To make the ink, put powdered graphite in a cup, cover with vinegar, and stir. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Once the graphite settles on the bottom of the cup, remove the clear liquid on top with a syringe.
- Stir in about a teaspoon of glue to keep the graphite suspended. A thick line of paint has a resistance of a few kilohms per inch.
- Draw the circuit, wait for it to dry and then you can test it out.
I was wondering if this would work on T-Shirts, under a laminate or other such protective coating to prevent the circuit from getting washed out. Maybe I should try this out over the weekend on one of my old T-Shirts. Wonder what kinds of design’s I would be able to make before hitting issues if this works.
– Suramya