Fiber-sense: The exploration of the craft and material of fiberglass as a medium for tangible user interfaces.: The the development of embedded circuits in fiberglass-based composites and designs

Abstract

In this investigation we present a material driven inquiry into fibreglass and the hand lay-up technique of composite lamination, as well as its affordances for the development of a tangible user interface. This was achieved by taking an in-depth look at woven fibreglass and its propensities as a craft material through its varying states of pliable fabric, wetted mesh and hardened composite. Through this, we propose the potential design of a pressure activated fibreglass skin for rigid and semi rigid fibreglass structures. Primarily through the means of a tri layer laminated fibreglass structure, with a polypyrrole treated fibreglass core sandwiched between 2 embroidered conductive fibreglass layers.