Reach Out and Touch

It's all about making connections.

Imagine being able to just tap the wall to turn on a light or turn a table into a musical instrument. Just another sci-fi movie effect? Not if you're using special conductive paint. Bare Conductive, based in London, is making it possible to create electrical circuits by simply using a paintbrush and their paint. When you add a circuit board and a switch or a computer, that's when the magic happens.

Claudia Romeo explains the concepts in this article and an accompanying video from Business Insider. Bare Conductive's paint is able to conduct electricity because it includes small particles of carbon, which are good electrical conductors.

Supporting Web Links

• A conductive sound wall
• Video: Designer uses conductive paint to customize instruments for musicians with disabilities
• Video: Color-Changing Fabric With Conductive Thread
• Electrick: Low-Cost Touch Sensing Using Electric Field Tomography
• File #002 – The Case Of The Broken Circuit (Valentine Paper Circuits)
• Tap is the wearable keyboard nobody asked for
• Apple patent points to a Pencil that writes on any surface, including air

 Discussion Questions/Activities

1. This is a good opportunity to discuss other examples of input devices. Most students are familiar with touch screens - how is conductive paint different from a touch screen? How is it similar?
2. Divide the class into small groups and ask them to brainstorm about projects they could make using Bare Conductive's paint. Have each group provide their suggestions and brief explanations. Do any of the projects seem feasible and affordable? If so, encourage students to attempt one of these projects, either individually or as a group.
3. As an individual project, ask students to investigate other, less familiar types of input devices. Students may want to review the Supporting Web Links for ideas. Each student should write a brief paper or prepare a presentation to discuss their findings.