Get Inspired with Loomia Prototyping Parts
Flashback to 2020. We’re all at home, stir crazy, itching to get out of the house any chance we can get. The pandemic is raging on, live events are cancelled, and our days consist of Zoom meetings and non-stop snacking. During this time, we at LOOMIA were trying to think of ways that we could help innovation engineers and creative technologists bring their ideas to life; using our technology to create prototypes. Then, it dawned on us: components with various functionalities and traits of the Loomia Electronic Layer (LEL). Thus, the Parts were born. Here is a guide to our entire collection of e-textile Parts, and some inspiration to get you thinking about what you might want to create!
Single Backlit Button
The Single Backlit Button is a small but mighty Part. It is a simple mechanical switch with an embedded LED. When you press the button, the circuit is completed. If we were to compare it to say, a standard LED tactile button, the Single Backlit Button can be applied to a wider variety of surfaces. Additionally, the Single Backlit Button is durable for up to 10,000 presses under five pounds of pressure.
As far as applications for this Part go, it can be used for any prototype, from wearables to interiors and more. You can use it to create a glowing icon or logo, in a piece of wall art for an interactive element, or on a smart jacket for visual confirmation of power up!
Inspiration
Amped Atelier made Convertible Solar Safety Bag using the Single Backlit Button. Check out the tutorial here!
Double Backlit User Interface
The Double Backlit User Interface is essentially two Single Backlit Buttons in one! You can use this part if you need to control something up and down, or right to left. Or you can create icons and decals on fabric that show your users the button functionalities.
This Part is perfect for any application that requires a user interface. For example, this Part can be used in a car headliner to control ambient lighting, or in an armrest to control a massage chair.
Inspiration
5v-7.2v Heater
The 5v-7.2v Heater warms up quickly with tangible heat within 60 seconds and a top heat after two minutes. The temperature range is anywhere from 125F to 165F, and the current pull is 1A to 2A. How does our heater compare to the average flexible heater? Most flexible heaters have a bend radius limitation 1/8 of an inch to 1 inch. The 5v-7.2v Heater has no bend radius limitation, just like our other Parts.
Use this Part for heating outerwear, for thermochromic effects, or in a consumer product. Some of our former creative tech residents made some innovative products using our Heater. We especially love the Fermentation Quilt from Victoria Manganiello and Petar Sapundjiev, as well as the Color-Changing Wall Art made by Yuchen Zhang.
OTHER PROJECTS TO CHECK OUT:
Inspiration
Mini Pressure Matrix
The Mini Pressure Matrix has six leads, allowing you to map which point you are at in the 3x3 matrix. Each area has an analog readout that varies depending on the weight of the item on the pressure sensor. The pressure range of this sensor is anywhere from .2lbs to 10lbs, and the sensor values will read between 500Kohms and 100ohms.
This Part can be used for any prototype that requires sensing capabilities. For example, you can use this Part in a car seat to help parents keep their children safe and ensure that they are not left behind in a hot car (see image below).
Former creative tech resident Elaine Khuu used the Mini Pressure Matrix to create a Stress Cat. When you are feeling extra fidgety, you can squish the cat and it will produce a buzzing sensation.
VIEW THE TUTORIAL HERE.
Mega Pressure Matrix
The Mega Pressure Matrix is the Mini Pressure Matrix’s big brother. Like the Mini, it has six leads, and each area has an analog readout that varies depending on the weight of the item on the pressure sensor.
There are so many possibilities for this Part! You can use it to create a blanket that helps dementia patients with agitation and can help caregivers with monitoring.
Majenta Strongheart and Erika Earl from Supplyframe DesignLab used our Mega Pressure Matrix to create Calascere: A Modular Electronic Tile. When Erika was asked to develop a concept for an interactive audio recording studio lobby, she and Majenta envisioned a space where these tiles would seamlessly be integrated into the lobby’s furniture, floors, and walls, and they would control the ambient audio experience in the space.
Single Pressure Sensor
The Single Pressure Sensor is great for small surface area applications. It gives you an analog read that maps to force on the sensor. The more you press, the lower the resistance goes. The pressure range is from 0.5lbs to 10lbs, so this part is strong!
Use this Part for monitoring respiration and heartrate in a medical wearable or activewear. See visual representations below.
Learn how to set it up here.
Serpentine Bus
The Serpentine Bus has 0.15in traces, making it compatible with the S-Curve and C-Curve buses. This bus, like the others, is meant for transferring data between components and can easily be soldered to the other Buses. Use this bus for additional stretch as it has up to 20% elongation.
This Part is best used for wearable tech applications, like the motion-sensing Smart Shirt we produced with Analog Devices.
We also envision the Serpentine Bus being used in a shirt or jacket that can connect to a device via bluetooth. Controlling your playlist from your sleeve while on a run? Count us in.
C-Curve Bus
The C-Curve Bus is perfect for connecting two 0.15in buses together at a wide angle. Use this Part for creating conductive lines over shoulders or curved surfaces. This Bus is perfect for wearable tech, automotive interiors and furniture, as well as any other application that has round edges
Inspiration
S-Curve Bus
The S-Curve Bus is perfect for when you need to make an unusual geometry from the LEL (Loomia Electronic Layer) buses. Use this Part for wearables, accessories, or any application that requires a unique circuitry shape.
Elaine Khuu used the S-Curve Bus to connect Parts for her Warming Band. This is a pressure-sensitive band that warms up as you rest your hand on it, and cools with a firmer press. This band is perfect for those who are looking for comfort when crampy!
Learn how to make the Warming Band here!
4-Wire Bus
The 4-Wire Bus has four leads that are each 0.15in wide. Each "wire" is low resistance, giving you fast data speed and solid wattage without heating up. This Bus is perfect for medical wearable applications, as it can stretch and bend to fit around the body should it be necessary.
Pablo Argote used the 4-Wire Bus to prototype a Muscle Activity Monitor Wearable. This wearable is a series of electrodes that connect to the skin, producing a reading that is dependent on how active each muscle is.
