Swatch 1
Swatch Information:

1.Title of your swatch:
Thermochromic Paper

2.Circuit Diagram (if there is)
(None)

3. 500 words description
This swatch is a temperature sensitive paper that could be either connected to a short-circuited power source or use other heating method to observe the color changing effect of Thermochromic microcapsule material. I use 4 layers of paper mulberry fiber to sandwich the color-changing microcapsule (which would change from black to white at 33°C), and add a piece of stainless steel yarn to enhance heat conduction.
I am interested in explore materials that possible to apply to apparel products or fashion creations. Thermochromic microcapsule is commonly used on living utensils (such as a color changing mug that remind the user of its hot contents), but not being used that much with textiles. During my research I tried to mix it with UV sensitive resin and made temperature sensitive beads; as well as mixed with several type of clay to make embellishment materials. Through my experiments, I noticed that the Thermochromic microcapsule I sourced from a local company in Taiwan could perform very differently with different medium and heating process. With UV sensitive resin, the sensibility of microcapsule would be slower and need a significant temperature difference to active the color changing process, but the material could be more constant throughout multiple heating and cooling down process. Using clay as medium (especially with light air dry clay) could improve the sensibility of microcapsule, although the color changing condition tend to become irregular and inconsistent. The material is hydrophilic and very easy to be rinsed off. By using paper as a medium the material remain its most original condition, and demonstrate high integration ability with natural fibers. In the future I’d like to experiment with making color-changing yarns or textiles!

4. Step by step with 3 - 5 pictures or 1 close-up picture with good detail.

5. Material list:

• Thermochromic microcapsule powder
• Paper mulberry fiber
• Stainless steel yarn

6. Internet link of it
崇裕感光變色材料

Swatch 2
Swatch Information:

1. Title of your swatch:
Pressure Sensitive Paper

2. Circuit Diagram (if there is)
(None)

3. 500 words description
This swatch is originally Shih Wei Chieh’s idea of mixing active charcoal powder in paper pulp, in order to make semi-conductive material. Paper making is one of HFF workshops; the lecture during physical residency was Yang Wei-Lin, who shared her experience of hand sheet paper making. The experiment with paper pulp was effective on functional aspect, but the outcome was highly staining and charcoal powder could reduce the firmness of this hand-made paper. Therefore Shih decided to adapt the construction of my experiment with Thermochromic paper. I made several tryouts with different formula, and finally settled with a 6 layered construction and 2 pieces of stainless steel yarn as sensing wire.
The idea is make a pressure sensitive interface with natural fiber and traditional crafting technique. Hand-made paper with paper mulberry fiber has a relatively loose structure compare to industrial paper sheet; while remain its bonding ability, hand-made paper maintain a larger space between its multiple layers and in general still being flexible. When we link this swatch to an electric meter and press across the space between those two piece of stainless yarns, we could observe the resistance change resulting from compressed active charcoal power. Similar construction could be used as push button switch or pressure sensing board.
In my opinion, the experiments of making electronic element with traditional crafting technique open up the possibility and discussion of how we could redefine the boundary of traditional craft. While the society and lifestyle is intensely changing, traditional craft technique could still inspire and being inspired.

4. Step by step with 3 - 5 pictures or 1 close-up picture with good detail.

5. Material list:
Active charcoal powder
Paper mulberry fiber
Stainless steel conductive yarn

6. Internet link of it
(None)