Breath Your Wave: a Gas Sensor Neckerchief

This wearable device design project uses Arduino, laser cutting, and 3D printing. Here are Some of my design sketches.

In an era where air pollution is a growing concern, this wearable device merges aesthetic appeal with practical safety. Designed as a fish fin, this fashion-forward garment is visually striking and highly functional.

The device continuously monitors air quality, detecting pollution and even poisonous gases. When the air is clean, it emits a calming green glow. In moderate pollution, it shifts to blue, and in hazardous conditions, it warns the wearer with a red alert. The scarf part can open and close when it receives exhale data using the reverse motion linkage.

It will be perfect for individuals living in high-pollution areas who still want to express themselves through fashion. This wearable ensures safety and style, proving that innovative technology can be as elegant as essential.

1. Physical Parts:
2. White Satin
3. Fake collar
4. Adjustable Bow tie Strap
5. Balsa wood board with 1/16" thickness
6. Safety Pins
7. Hard paper
8. Circuit Components:
9. Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit
10. Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with 3-pin JST Connector - 1 meter - 30 LEDs / meter: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4801
11. Adafruit MiCS5524 CO, Alcohol and VOC Gas Sensor Breakout: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3199
12. Wires
13. Screw & Nut for Adafruit Circuit Playground
14. Lithium Ion Battery - 3.7V 2000mAh：https://www.adafruit.com/product/2011
15. Micro Servo: https://www.adafruit.com/product/169
16. Tools:
17. Tape
18. Screwdriver
19. Soldering Iron
20. Sewing Needle & thread
21. Stapler

The scarf is made up of two parts: the collar with the gas sensor, the strap with the bluefruit, the reverse motion linkage, the motor, and the LED strip. As the gas sensor will collect data from your breaths and the bluefruit will be adjusted when you wear it, you won't see the gas sensor or the bluefruit circuits. The LED and micro servo are attached to the linkage, and the connecting wires will be hidden under the scarf and the middle fan-like part.I chose to use thicker paper for the center to make it easier to warp, and it also masks the elements and diffuses some of the light.

First, Print out the physical Parts. All the 3D printed parts are printed in PLA, and the stick parts for reverse motion linkage are made by laser-cutting a Balsa wood board.

(The 3D Printing file was provided by the DES 178 Class at UC Davis)

Connect the circuit by referring to the first circuit image. You can connect the components using alligator clip wires first for testing and then use the screws and nuts to make the final connection.

This is the code I used; it is very easy to edit.

1. Use Scissor, Needle, Safety pin, or Stapler to create the satin scarf shape you want. Then fold it into a "n" shape.
2. Connect the Strap to the 3D Printed Snap, Attach the Battery to the back of the Snap.

1. Combine the Micro Servo with the linkage by connecting the servo arm to the middle part of the linkage.
2. Connect the Circuit as the 3rd image.

Ensure all parts except the Bluefruit and gas sensor hide in the scarf.

1. Fold a paper fan structure using hard paper and put it in the middle front of the scarf; you can simply use a stapler to combine the scarf and fan. Combine the scarf and the Strap using safety pin.
2. Attach the gas sensor using a simple sewing technique(you can use the holes on the gas sensor) onto the fake collar.

And Done! Your neckerchief should look somewhat similar to the 1st photo.

Now you should be able to connect the battery and everything should be working.