Unconventional Switch - Belt Buckle

Stanley Freihofer

Jordan Norton

 

Our electronic switch reimagines a belt buckle as an interactive input device, blending fashion with circuitry. The buckle itself functions as a switch, completing an electrical circuit when fastened. This action powers an LED light on a breadboard, with an Arduino Circuit Playground—plugged into a laptop—serving as the power source.

The materiality of the project is central to its function. The metal belt buckle acts as a conductive switch, utilizing its mechanical movement to open or close the circuit. This transforms a routine action—buckling a belt—into an intentional electrical interaction. By incorporating wearable elements into circuit design, our switch challenges conventional interfaces and highlights how everyday materials can be repurposed for electronic interactivity.

https://youtu.be/mpfVGj01_EI

Unconventional Switch - Custom Light Show

 Group 9 : Howard De Ausen and Jessica Harrison

The concept behind our switch is aligned with aesthetic inquiry. We wanted to create a visual stimuli for an action that already creates an audio response, therefore adding another layer of depth to the action. The circuit we created with the unconventional switch would respond to the moment of the mallet's strike onto the instrument. We are using the mallet as the switch in an interactive way that allows for a visual treat of music synchrony. Therefore, this concept is both functional and artistic. Each strike on the glockenspiel influences the lighting in real time, which creates a dynamic and immersive experience.

Because the instrument is made of metal, you can directly connect the clip to a singular note of your choosing to have the LED light up accordingly. Because we wanted the light to respond to multiple notes, we used tin foil to expand the connection to a set of three notes.

Unconventional Switch: Water

This circuit, powered by the Circuit Playground Express, demonstrates how water can be used as a system for a switch. Using only a breadboard, a blue LED, a bowl of heavily salted water, and clips to connect everything together, the circuit won't light up without the metal probes both being submerged in water, which makes it an indication of whether or not water is present up to a certain level.

While there are limitations based on available materials, such as the placement of the probes or how brightly the LED is glowing, with stronger, industrial voltages to combat water's naturally high resistance and without the need to salt the water, this circuit exemplifies how commercial and residential water systems can be made to include indicators for water in terms of safety and if there is a need to add to an empty container.  

Coin Unconventional Switch - Team 12

Soria Elhassan & Kylie Welch

Unconventional Switch: Coin

We created our unconventional switch using an LED, alligator clips, a 1000 ohm resistor, dimmer, circuit playground, and a coin. Starting with the circuit playground’s 3.3V produced for usage, it then goes through our 1000 ohm resistor. The coin then conducts the electricity to go through the dimmer, which allows us to reduce and gain lighting in the LED. Which then connects to the ground in the circuit playground to complete a full circuit. It’s unconventional due to the use of the coin because when the war hits and all you have is a quarter to your name, you too can make sure you have enough light to see the plans of the rebels in the darkest nights.

Image of switch

Video of switch

Schematic of switch

Unconventional Switch: Hook Detection

 

Electronics Team 21: Ethan Ryno and Jeremy Myers

    
    One way we wanted to bridge the gap for our unconventional switch was to uses wall hooks with metal tips and we wanted to see if we could hang something like a hat or metal kitchen utensil and if it would complete our current and turn on the LED. Detecting when something is on a hook can have a lot of uses whether making a game of landing something on it, see if a hooks in use so you don't put to much stuff on it, or do the reverse and tell when someone takes something off a hook turning or a light or make a alarm go off. The switch has two hooks each having clips attached to them, with one hook attached to the wall and the second placed on top of it with a piece of foam under it lifting it the hook up a bit. When something like a hat is placed on the top hook it weighs it down compressing the foam and touching the bottom hook completing the circuit and turning on the LED, lifting the hat up would then decompress the foam turning off the LED.

Unconventional Switch: United As One

By John Stalvey and Christopher Turner

When making an unconventional switch, we thought to ourselves "how can we bring out the human emotion into something as simple as a light switch?" A lot of couples might say they complete each other, and we wanted to physically represent that. When both rings (could be a wedding ring or other rings that mean something to you) come together, the light turns on, showing how great of a pair you two are. This light could be used functionally to tell guests in their house that both of them are present, or could just be a gift that symbolizes your care for each other. When you and your partner come together in unity, you both shine like a star! (or a light, in this case.)

The Mighty Duck Switch

 

Caio designed this switch, and the Zinc Duck is his. We considered what the duck could represent as a higher concept or any other meaning we wanted to give it. However, we both realized we wanted to use the Duck as our unique switch purely for comical value. 

The switch's function is quite simple. It is a basic circuit powered by the Circuit Playground with a 3.3 Volt power out that connects to a 100 Ohm resistor, the metal plate that came with the breadboard, and the zinc duck. When the duck is placed upon the strip, the circuit is connected, and power moves into the LED.

After all, a solid, at least one pound of zinc duck is inherently quite humorous. You could ask yourself, why someone would own a solid zinc duck, but the answer is not as fun as the application and the sense of personality that this particular switch offers compared to a typical soda or soup can. It is a uniquely personal artifact that gives the switch charm and a lingering personality.

Unconventional Switch: Combat Student Spending

 

Switch to Keep Students from Spending Money

By Rebecca Catterton & Ralfo Manzur

            Our switch was designed to combat one of the biggest problems students face: uncontrolled spending. Czech novelist Ivan Klima once said, “to destroy is easier than to create,” a sentiment that rings true to this day and can be applied to a variety of life’s facets, especially money. It is very easy to buy a new $30, $60 game, but it’s much harder to earn that money by working. Since most of us are students without degrees, the jobs we have access to are often limited in both hours and wage. By designing this switch, we’ve tackled the problem head on. One side of the wallet has a conductive gum wrapper on it, the other, a quarter. Do not be tempted by this quarter. The circuit is completed when the wallet is opened and the two items touch. When this happens, a red light turns on, reminding you of the terrible mistake you’re making. Your bank account and the future version of you will thank you. No more indulging yourself with an in-game purchase or even something from the vending machine.