Create A Touch Sensor For The micro:bit With Electric Paint
Learn how to use micro:bit with Electric Paint
The micro:bit is a great device to get started with electronics and in this tutorial, we are going to show you how to create a touch sensor for the micro:bit with Electric Paint. All you need is a micro:bit, some Electric Paint and a crocodile clip. Feel free to use the code for your next project and, for example, create a touch switch for your application.
The code was written by Barry Byford, who also wrote a comprehensive explanation about the code on his blog post. Thank you for sharing it with us, Barry!
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You will need:
- Electric Paint 10ml, 50ml or 1l
- micro:bit
- crocodile clip
- paper
- Sundry painting supplies
Step 1 Download the code
First, download the code and upload it to your micro:bit.
Step 2 Prepare your sensor
When you have uploaded the code to your micro:bit, you can paint your sensor with Electric Paint on a piece of paper. We have just painted a simple square, but you can paint anything you like! Make sure to paint a connection to your sensor from the edge of the paper. Leave the paint to dry for about 15 minutes.
Step 3 Connect sensor to the micro:bit
Once the paint has dried, connect the sensor to the pin 0 of the micro:bit with a crocodile clip.
Step 4 Calibrate micro:bit
Connect your micro:bit to power and first press the “A” button. This will calibrate the micro:bit and a number will flash across the screen. Once it has calibrated, press button “B” to start sensing. The middle LED should light up.
Step 5 Touch the sensor
If you now touch the sensor, all of the LEDs should light up. That’s it! You have created a touch sensor for the micro:bit. You can use this code as part of your project and for example, create a touch switch for your application.
Step 6 Try with Printed Sensors
Alternatively, you can use the Printed Sensors to quickly create a touch sensor for the micro:bit. We have cut out a small diamond. Make sure to leave part of the sensor access node to connect to the micro:bit.
