Electromagnet Superhero Glove

For a class assignment, I needed to make something fabric-based which took an Arduino, some programming, and at least two inputs and outputs. After sketching a few different ideas, I hit on this one: an electromagnetic glove for MagnetoGirl. It sprang to life for me, because magnetism is an invisible force which can seem magical. Also, a superhero can be given life, character, and (the best part) a cool costume.

I decided to make an opera glove with some embedded circuitry. The electromagnet is in the index finger of the right hand; the electromagnet (and also the on-Arduino LED for pin13) are on while the red button is held down; there are sensors made of conductive thread on the palm and pad of the ring finger which, when touched together, disable the electromagnet while the button is still held down (but the LED stays on).

MagnetoGirl's powers are a bit weak right now, though- her glove still has to be plugged in to the laptop for power! Improvements welcome.

Step 1: Materials

Glove:
-fabric
-thread
-needle/sewing machine
-alternately, a pre-made glove, and then you can skip the next step

Circuit:
-Lilypad Arduino & USB cable
-button switch
-soldering iron/solder
-conductive thread & needle
-wire
power transistor
-2 high-resistance resistors (for tie-downs)
-electromagnet
  -something conductive
  -electromagnet wire

Comments

[the crafter]

I think this is great but exactly how far can it pick up, and how heavy of objects can it pick up?

[Ideaz R Us]

we are planning to make a way better one in a few days with a whole glove magnet

[suenteus]

did you guys ever go through with that? sounds interesting

[cheeswiz]

what is the whole point of this glove? i dont know what MagnetoGirl is so its a little weard. However, is a cool design with room for improvment im looking forward to seeing improvment posted.

[masterzeb318]

i would like to know how you can make it without an arduino .

[randofo]

What if you crushed a ferrite rod into powder and made a pouch. Then, you lined the tips of each finger with this pouch. And then, you wrapped the magnet wire around the tip of each finger (and hid that also). That might create a less noticeable electromagnet.

[Nerdz]

Even better idea would be to ditch the "round magnet" idea and go with a flat oval shaped magnet instead, and make it the size of the finger. After all the magnetic force is dictated by the number of turns, the amount of current flowing through, the area and the permeability of the material.

[randofo]

You can also ditch the Arduino altogether and have some sort of mechanical or analog solution. For what you are using the Arduino for right now, it is not altogether that necessary. And then, you could power the electromagnet with a 9V battery which would make it much stronger (so long as it doesn't heat up the coil too much).

You might be able to use a reed switch and a magnet (electromagnet perhaps?) to turn off your glove as opposed to the Arduino.

[amonmillner]

A little heat from the coil could add value to the glove during the winter months ;) People who live in certain parts of the country might be looking for anything to help keep them warm right about now - getting to be a superhero would be a side bonus.