I am creating my first project with the Arduino and max/msp. I have been trying to research a heat sensor that is sensitive enough to register change through thin plastic when a persons hand placed on it. Does anyone have any suggestions to something I could buy or hack?
A Dallas DS18S20 or something similar might work
The accuracy is not perfect but there is a noticeable increase in temperature when you touch it
The temperature jumps from 72.50F to 73.85F when you touch it for 2 - 4 seconds
It jumps from 72.05F to 72.50F if you touch it for about 1 second
Dallas Semi makes a variety of other temp sensors as well
Have you considered using a real touch sensor instead?
Thank you! I will look into that.
Yes, I had considered that. I need something that will register a persons contact with the object while sending a stream of slightly fluctuating data. I intend on building a ribbon touch sensor for another piece of the project. My first thought was something that would register heat from the contact. A pressure sensor, I suppose, is also an option if the heat sensor does not work the way I need it to.
If you need accurate position information a laptop touch pad might work
One or more temperature sensors might work but you may get "noise" or false positive readings as temperature changes
An iPod style touch pad might work also but could be expensive
Ipod Touch's and iPhones use capacitance to detect the finger