Saturday, October 8th, 2011, 1 pm to 5 pm
In this workshop, you’ll add lights and computation to everyday objects using circuits made with copper tape. This easy-to-use, inexpensive material can be stuck to a variety of surfaces. You’ll learn to solder components to the tape, forming circuits with LEDs, microcontrollers, and batteries. We’ll also show you how to load your own programs onto the microcontrollers to change the behavior of your circuits. No previous experience necessary!
Please bring an object that you’d like to construct your circuit on. This could be a box or other container, a toy, a bowl or cup, or anything else. Non-metal objects will work better.
Rough schedule:
- 1:00 to 1:30: introduction to copper tape, soldering, and electronic components
- 1:30 to 2:30: making a first simple circuit
- 2:30 to 2:45: introduction to the loading programs onto microcontrollers
- 2:45 to 4:30: making a project with a circuit on your object
- 4:30 to 5:00: brief introduction to other techniques for programming microcontrollers; conclusion
Components we’ll be using include the following. (For more, see our electronics page.)
- ATtiny85V-10PU microcontroller
- CR2032 coin-cell battery
- Battery holder
- White 4-Legged LED
- Green Axial LED
- Yellow Axial LED
- Red Axial LED
- Copper Tape (1/4″)
- Fine-tipped curved tweezers
Diagram of the components: Components.pdf
Software:
This workshop is part of ongoing research conducted by the High-Low Tech group at the MIT Media Lab and was open to the public.
For more information, see these tutorials:
