Hey!
I'm looking into ways to streamline a Nano 33 BLE project to be worn directly next to the skin. I would like to connect an external sensor and also a battery power source. Imagine the board say on the back of the hand and the sensor on the palm connected by wires and the battery connected to the board but worn somewhere up the arm, out of sight. The board I have is without headers and I was reading how you can solder wires directly to the pins on the board to keep the profile low.
For the connecting wires, (I haven't seen anything that suggests this is possible!) but I'm wondering if it would be possible to use conductive thread soldered between the sensor and board? The idea being that it is more pliable than wiring so could be wrapped around the skin potentially to connect the components. Is there anyway to make that do-able? Or any other ideas? I'd like it to be as seamless / invisible as possible.
Really appreciate any suggestions,
Best
Jess
Adafruit has supplies and tutorials for incorporating Arduinos, etc. into clothing. Those include conductive thread and yarn.
Project ideas
Yes, great thank you. I should say i'm interested in using the nano, partly because I already have it, and also because it has an inbuilt IMU and bluetooth (both of which I need for this project)
Does anyone know if you can put wire or conductive thread next to the skin? Am I going to electrocute myself?!! Would it need to be insulated somehow? I'd really rather it was as transparent/invisible as possible
Best
Jess
Am I going to electrocute myself?!!
Never, with voltages required or tolerated by the Nano.
Sensor leads might need to be insulated, but battery leads generally don't, unless they might cross, or the wearer will be soaking wet or very sweaty.
Keep in mind that electronic circuitry degrades very rapidly if powered up while damp, due to electrolysis. For this reason, circuit boards exposed to the elements are always "conformally coated", that is, sealed with a coat of nail polish.
For more detailed advice, tell us more about your project.
Be sure to read through the Adafruit material and check on their forums for advice. There is also the E-textiles and Craft section on this forum.
great thank you! good to know!
just to confirm, do you know if conductive thread soldered between the nano and the sensor (a proximity sensor) would work in place of wires, or does conductive thread only work with the lily pad/adafruit boards?
Best
Jess
There is nothing special about the Adafruit boards.
I've never worked with Adafruit's conductive thread/yarn, but if its resistance is low enough it should behave like any other wire. I suggest that you post your questions on the Adafruit forum.