NTU Fuzzy Circuits - LED Wallet/Purse

2024-07-18 | By Kitronik Maker

License: See Original Project LEDs / Discrete / Modules Wearables

Courtesy of Kitronik

Guide by Kitronik

A student studying Secondary Design and Technology Education at Nottingham ‎Trent University designed a purse with built-in LED, fixing the age old issue of ‎searching for bits of change in the dark.‎

In quoting Buechley, the student was ‘aiming to attract more women and girls’, ‎and to ‘inspire and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers’. Aimed ‎at Key Stage 3 pupils and therefore a simplified kit, the student aimed to find a way ‎that students could use simple E-Textiles ideas in school, at a reasonable price.‎

Front of two LED wallet/purses

Using conductive thread, the student was able to make the purse with little ‎traditional circuitry, keeping the cost and bulk of the purse/wallet down to a ‎minimum. Conductive thread is a relatively new tool for making products, and for ‎items such as this purse/wallet it is ideal for retaining a sense of style along with ‎functionality, rather than trying to hide an electrical circuit and wires inside the ‎lining and making the product too bulky.‎

Back of two LED wallet/purses

Parts required:‎

• ‎2 x A5 sheets of felt
• Small amount of conductive thread (for the battery holder)
• Conductive fabric strips (Iron on - may require Heat'n'Bond)
• Sewable LED light
• ‎3V coin cell battery
• Thread

Optional:‎

• Zip (for purse/wallet opening)
• Hook and Loop (hook and loop fastener) (for purse/wallet opening)
• ‎100% polyester or other suitable fabric for sublimation printing
• Sublimation printing paper/or iron on transfer paper alternative

Equipment required:‎

• Sewing machine
• Sewing needles
• Fabric scissors
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Iron
• Sublimation printer

Student's LED wallet/purse showing the inside LED and conductive fabric.‎

Student's LED wallet/purse showing the inside battery compartment and ‎conductive fabric.‎

We liked the student's project as it looks great and is a lot of fun to make too. By ‎combining electronics and circuitry with product design, e-textile manufacturing, ‎and a bit of creativity, the student has made a solution to a simple problem that ‎people have had for years, and ultimately a successful new product has to offer a ‎solution...which they do in only 9 steps! If you want to have a go at making the ‎purse/wallet yourself, you can follow his Instructables page by clicking HERE and ‎following the simple steps. Do please send us your photos when you're finished too!‎

‎©Kitronik Ltd – You may print this page & link to it but must not copy the page or part thereof ‎without Kitronik's prior written consent.

Mfr Part # 2724

ELECTRO-FASHION, CONDUCTIVE THRE

Kitronik Ltd.

$20.66

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Mfr Part # 2716

CONDUCTIVE FABRIC, RIPSTOP

Kitronik Ltd.

$128.50

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