“Following blorgggg’s project on conductive silicone circuit, I decided to venture on my own experiment with carbon fiber. Turns out, a shape cast out of carbon-fiber-infused plaster can also be used as a variable resistor! With a few copper rod and the a few quick programming, you will be able to use your conductive plaster form as a sensor which, in this particular example, will be used to generate sound.
The application of this experimental form goes well beyond making electronic sound itself. I share this project in the hope of expanding the possibility of circuitry. Electronics do not always have to live within a neat and sleek container; they can also be thought of to be within sculptures, materials, forms, and everyday objects—and we will enter this project with the mindset of creating an alternative forms to knobs, inlets, or buttons. We will be creating a structure for circuitry that is uncertain and full of surprises. And so without further ado, here are some of the stuff you’ll need to prepare.
Things you will need for casting:
Dust mask (very important for the longevity of your lungs!!!) Any type of casting mold. I use a mold that I made using Smooth-On silicone, of an enlarged LED shape. If you do not have any, you can get a pre-existing mold (if you’re not too concerned about shapes, even a cupcake/ice mold would do) or look through different how-to tutorials. Plaster (any kind, but I prefer USG Hydrocal because they are strong and durable) 2 measuring cups (1 quart and 8 oz.) Mixing sticks Mixed chopped carbon fiber (available on eBay) Denatured alcohol fuel (you will be able to find it at a supply store)Things you will need to make the circuitry:
Arduino Uno/Nano and their corresponding USB cables Solderless breadboard Multimeter Copper rod (1/16” - 1/8”) and a drill with a drill bit of the same thickness as the rod Multicolored wires (I use22 gauge Striveday silicone wire because of their elasticity) 22k Resistors Electric tapePrograms you will need on your computer:
Arduino IDEPd-Extended (a sound programming language) and the convert.zip folder (to be used later)Let’s begin!”