GMU:The Conceptual Sensor/Julian Castillo

Improbable Switch / Assignment 1

For this assignment I began by testing conductive materials that would allow me to create an improbable switch. My first approach was a key that would trigger sound and light when inserted into a lock. After tests and fixes... It worked!!! :)

Later on I got curious about the possibility to create a device that could be set in different places, so it would have the ability to be placed between objects, under, above, etc, allowing some flexibility in this respect, so the surrounding setting could be changed as needed.

I came up with a "pressure switch" that would turn itself off whenever pressure was released, and on otherwise. A flexible structure that would return to its original shape seemed to be a good solution (thus facilitating the closing and opening of the circuit). I was able to achieve my goal by using a sponge, wires, cardboard, tape, and aluminum foil. (see the video below)

If you can see the video, please go to this link: [1]

<videoflash>higlHq2AbrM|640|400</videoflash>

Experimental Resistance/Assignment 2

For this assignment I wanted to continue experimenting with sound. I got excited when I found out that different pitches could be produced by a variation on the resistance.

At this point my goal became to build a system capable of producing a wide range of sounds. I used different substances and combinations of them that would result on a variation of the amount of ions in a given solution, and therefore its conductivity. I wired the whole structure with conductive material to connect all the substances and surfaces, by doing so I increased the sound possibilities based on the random combinations that could take place.

This experimental resistance became a "solutions chain" located in the middle of a circuit where it became possible to select where the conductive props would be placed (to close the circuit), thus producing a different outcome depending on the combination.

If you cannot see the video, please go to this link: [2]

<videoflash>GOPm6yR4RG4|640|400</videoflash>

Living Wall/Final project

This is a project in which Rachel Smith and I decided to work together after finding some electronic "garbage" that got us curious about the use of motors and sensors.

We experimented with the different parts we discovered inside a stereo system and were thrilled by the mechanisms that made different parts spin using motors, wheels and pullies. We were determined to build a system consisting of different parts interconnected, that could use a single motor to work. Since motion was the central focus of our whole system, we decided to use motion as a trigger, so we integrated a motion sensor to it.

We saw a clear dichotomy in our exploration, stillness vs movement. The stillness of empty spaces versus the movement of those who occupy them, this thought inspired us to "awake" an inanimate space (a wall inside an empty room) when the movement of a living being was detected. We chose a cube shape as the basic module, we felt this static shape fits best our definition of stillness, being this a shape that has no intrinsic movement potential in itself (opposite to a sphere, for example), a stillness urging to "come alive and breath".

If you cannot see the video, please go to this link: [3]

<videoflash>V5pU1krz878|640|400</videoflash>