Arc Reactor using Arduino Lilypad

I decided to build my own arc reactor, as the ones made by others online were either too bulky, or required some silly way of attaching it to the chest.

Being familiar with the Arduino platform, I discovered the Lilypad version and it's associated sewable components. To top it off, the Lilypad is circular, flat and perfectly small enough to fit within the ring of LEDs. The only downside is that the Lilypad LEDs don't support the Analog Write function, which would have allowed them to fade on and off.

Regardless, the entire circuit (minus the battery) is washable, and the LiPo battery has enough juice for at least 6 hours of continuous use.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Iron
• Man
• Arc
• Reactor

[whatthefishnet]

Nice! I'm an arts tech student at Illinois state university about to buy my first arduino. Is it challenging to learn? Any advice?

[ry842002]

@whatthefishnet If you've ever done any programming before, using the Arduino will be a very fast learning curve for you. The tutorials and examples on Arduino.cc helped me learn most of the syntax, and the forum was a great resource too. Start by modifying the existing bits of code included in the Arduino software, and then try to make your own!

[ihmpall]

awesome work!

[ry842002]

@ihmpall Thanks! :D

[AKSoapy29]

The new type of flashlight. I like it! :D

[ry842002]

@AKSoapy29 Oh, it is! The power went out shortly after I finished building it, so it became a very handy hands-free flashlight. :)

[MiguelRamirezCA]

I am a UCLA Political Science major, I know nothing about programming. Please tell me where to start to make something like this! This must be the coolest thing I've seen in a while!

[ry842002]

@2point0L Thanks so much! :)

[ry842002]

@garfrankwyn Thanks! :D

[ry842002]

@reesk92  Yes, the Lilypad DOES support PWM, but the Lilypad LEDs do NOT, lol. I made this unfortunate discovery after I had already drawn up the plans. So, in this case, the Arduino is only doing the startup spiral, though I did intend for it to pulse / fade on and off. Next time, SMDs. ;)

[Jagatia]

@SeamusCallan1

from the film Iron Man