got working:
- used hot glue to insulate board and bare threads. also used interfacing over components and their thread, to insulate from other components.

set-backs:
- i am getting a voltage reading of around 3v off my thread, but i can't even light up an LED with it.
- bootloader has stopped working in arduino.
- php script gets all screwy when i take less than 6 readings

to-do:
- get test swatch to turn to clear.
- paint ink onto dress. cure it!!
- complete insulation
- add in other batteries

in the next iteration, the project will include these upgrades/features:

*php*
- eventually, get maxValue based on average hits from php (this value should be dynamic)
- if it is earlier than the 6th, the days will get all screwed up! build functionality that lets php know what to do if it's before the 6th.

*python*
- look at python... can detect which tower your phone is connected to!

*java*
- connects to network via cellphone
- make into a background app (like aim, etc)

*arduino*
- look for 'disconnected' over serial port. open up 2 terminal windows and monitor ports
- does temperature checking
- reset lastPing, so it doesn't go over 4 hours

*dress*
- silkscreened designs
- more threads

*web*
- set up a web page where people can enter data in.
- find different things to monitor. maybe make a set of clothing items for different means (to raise awareness for different kinds of issues)
- fun applications??? music related?

quick update!

got working:
- actually get data going back n forth between bluetooth in circuit and laptop bluetooth
- having trouble parsing multiple data sets
- debugged my arduino + processing code.

set-back:
- i tried to upload my program to the arduino, but it kept telling me the programmer wasn't responding, even though all my settings were right. it was because i had my blueSMiRF powered up. once i unplugged it, the program uploaded normally.

to-do:
- if device's BT connection is dropped, device should be set to 'disconnected'. status = disconnected



UPCOMING (after thurs)
- put software on cellphone for portability

Update!

- Mixed my inks together: Black thermochromic + regular screen inks (hot pink, electric blue, and bright orange). I'm using Versatex water-based screen inks, as my 'regular' screen ink.

Be warned of this though: The black thermo ink is not as opaque as you might think. The orange mixed in turned it into chocolate pudding brown, the red into a kind of dark purple, and the blue made it almost slightly greenish. It's ok though; it's still muted enough to not be too ugly or noticeable. When heated, it should turn from it's cold murky color to bright red/blue/orange when heated.

Current set-backs:

- I planned on using abc no rio to silkscreen, but they are only available tues/weds/thurs for 2.5hrs each day :(.

- mouser.com will not ship lithium batteries via air, only by ground. Even though they let you pick that shipping option at checkout, and don't tell you ANYWHERE that that is their policy. After I had placed my order with them, they emailed me later informing me of this policy, and that my shipment would not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday (which is much too late). They wouldn't even cancel my order for me as a courtesy. I'm obviously not too happy with them.

- I tried putting my Bekaert VN 14 1/90 thread into my sewing machine. It frays very easily!!! So i might have to hand-sew my circuitry. The thread will need to be double or tripled up as well, so that the connection is strong (both physically and electrically).

In other news (i.e. GOOD news), I tested using my Bekaert BK 50/1 thread, which has very low resistance, in place of the hard wires in my circuit. It conducts electricity wonderfully! It totally works, as though i was using my usual 22 gage wire! Everything lit up as expected. As with the VN 14 thread, it needs to be doubled up in order to have a strong physical and electrical connection. When I used only one-ply of the thread, the LED on the other end softly flickered. This thread frays very easily as well, so it will definitely need to be hand-sewn into my garment.

I still have to do a lot. This is the order in which it'll be done:
- make php script work
- cell-phone app (processing mobile?)
- hook up arduino code
- test circuit with data coming from 'net
- print dress
- sew in circuit!
- insulate everything

I switched from using mosfet drivers to a simple darlington transistor (TIP120) for each thread. This will suit my purpose well enough. I set up my test circuit, and it's all working wonderfully!

Transistor Array
Originally uploaded by 0x000000.

The LEDs will be replaced with conductive threads running through thermochromic ink in my garment.

Received my silk screen and conductive thread today!

I'm going to be working on setting up a circuit using a mosfet driver and looking at j2me stuff for developing a java app for my cellphone. The application I eventually write will be responsible for retreiving data off the net for me, with the help of php.

Talked to Tom and found out how to use a MOSFET driver. I was advised that a MOSFET is the way to go for sending current down threads. I will still be shorting out a battery, but the MOSFET will allow me to control when and which threads get power sent through them via the arduino (or any microcontroller, for that matter). I am going to try to track down a smaller version of the arduino, which is being developed here at itp. It is much more conducive to being sewn into a wearable application than the mini or full-sized arduino, because of its smaller dimensions, including thickness.

Today I'm going to get in touch with a couple people to figure out how to connect to the internet via my cellphone.

current steps outline:
- get cellphone to connect to net and return data to arduino
- build working mosfet circuit with basic on/off code
- try creating a bus.. see how long battery drains when you have multiple threads attached
- see how long battery drains with just one thread attached.
- build circuit with working arduino code, doing data scrape.
- create design for dress
- stitch threads into dress
- screen on design
- stitch in circuitry!
- figure out power source

Much thanks to Marcelo, who has been advising me along the way, particularly with giving me the idea to use MOSFETs in the first place.

Doing more research on ways to heat the thread so as to avoid shorting out batteries. I am looking at peltier junctions, although the problem of power supply suitable for a wearable (and thus, non-tethered) application emerges from going down this road. Peltier junctions consume quite a bit of power. It seems I could power two of them with 5V and 0.7A (as found off this project's page: web.media.mit.edu/~marcelo/pureplay/index.htm).

I am also looking at Joe Paradiso's Parasitic Power Shoes, which harvest excess energy from walking.

Reference: http://www.media.mit.edu/resenv/power.html

I think that's probably going to have to be saved for another project, but wearable technology that is powered from harvesting energy your body creates is a very interesting concept.

I also checked out cute circuit's hug shirt, which transmits a hug over bluetooth to a bluetooth enabled cell phone to another hug shirt.

I can also try using TC4432 MOSFET drivers for sending current down threads, controlled by the arduino. Thermistors can check current temp, to prevent hazardous situations from occurring.

Reference: http://web.media.mit.edu/~marcelo/kukkia_vilkas/berzowska.pdf

Looked at heating elements too: http://www.thermion.com/heaters/

You can custom order heating elements from Thermion, specifying dimensions and input power! That sounds promising.