Wearable Technology | The O.T. Swanson Multidisciplinary Design Lab

Full Project (PDF):

2014-WT-01.jpg

Figure 3: Three prototypes were created Audio case, Solar backpack, Fitness band

Sponsor:

Study the feasibility of using VELCRO brand conductive hook and loop fasteners in wearable technology.
Generate 3 major applications of wearable technology concepts that incorporate conductive VELCRO hook & loop products
Demonstrate the multi‐functionality of VELCRO products by using them as a medium in I2C transfer, audio transfer and utilizing it to power a device

Figure 1: Mind map of conductive VELCRO functions Indicates which functions the team explored

Figure 2: Conductive VELCRO interface represented in a circuit diagram

Technical Approach Flowchart

Samples with the lowest resistances were found and used to prioritize which samples would be applied in the prototypes

Table 1: Interface resistances of the 2 most conductive hooks and 2 most conductive loops
	B + C	B + I	D + C	D + I
Ohms	26	15	60	34

In the graph below bit error rate testing (BERT) showed that at 500kHz, conductive hook and loop was within .5% of standard copper wire

Error Rate Chart

Table 2: Hook and loop to wire (R_wire-to-VELCRO) connection methods
Connection Method	Conductivity [S/m]	Shear Strength [Mpa]	Attahment notes
Conductive Thread	13000	290	Soft material applications
Conductive Epoxy	16000	13.5	Universal attachment
Conductive Tape	60000	0.0126	Universal attachment
Solder	7100000	32.1	Melts hook and loops, mechanical failure

Team Members:

Focus Area:

Product Development

Project Type:

Product Development

Project Engineer: