# 244: Magic And Electrons

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-05-04
- Length: 56m
- Episode: 244
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/244-magic-and-electrons

## Summary

Kristina Durivage, a front-end software engineer and hardware hacker, discusses her journey into electronics through wearable projects like the TweetSkirt and Tech Sash. She details the mechanical and electrical challenges of integrating LEDs and batteries into clothing, specifically highlighting issues with weight distribution and component durability. Durivage explains her choice of platforms like the Particle Photon for their ease of use and cloud integration, and shares lessons learned from prototyping failures, such as battery placement and soldering logistics at conventions.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=6) Introduction: Kristina Durivage and Lightning Round
- [13:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=803) Getting into Hardware: LED Arrays and Particle Photon
- [16:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=985) Wearable Projects: TweetSkirt and Battery Weight Issues
- [22:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=1335) Prototyping Challenges: Soldering Irons and Durability
- [28:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=1722) Software vs. Hardware: Expectations and Debugging
- [34:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=2062) Motivation: Conventions, Cosplay, and Monetization
- [41:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=2486) Current Projects: LED Resin Beads and Earrings
- [44:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons#t=2675) Speaking and Education: Reaching New Audiences

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Particle Photon (chip)
- Adafruit (company)
- No Starch Press (company)
- Cool Neon (company)
- DFRobot (company)
- TweetSkirt (product)
- Tech Sash (product)
- 10 LED Projects for Geeks (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Voltnuts for Flashlights](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-17-voltnuts-for-flashlights) (The Amp Hour)
- [Wearables Might Have Limited Fashion Options - Lachrymogenic Lane Language](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-14-wearables-might-have-limited-fashion-options-lachrymogenic-lane-language) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Elecia White - Wirewove Worshipping Wookieist?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-05-an-interview-with-elecia-white-wirewove-worshipping-wookieist) (The Amp Hour)
- [429: The Fabric of Your Lungs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-02-09-429-the-fabric-of-your-lungs) (Making It)
- [Ep039: Elliot <3 Lightning Detector, Ikea Dark Mode, Smartest Watch, Solar Sailing, VAWT Controversy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-10-10-ep039-elliot-3-lightning-detector-ikea-dark-mode-smartest-watch-solar-sailing-va) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-04-244-magic-and-electrons. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.