Thermochromic Ink Portrait (Mugshot)

This example is about factors that lead to higher chances incarceration, but the technology can easily be translated to other concepts. This instructable is for people who are interested in experimenting with circuits to change thermochromic ink colors. Level: BEGINNER

You will need:

Thermochromic ink

Paper

Resistive Tape

Conductive thread

9v Battery

Alligator clips (helpful)

Firm backing (I used cardboard and acryllic)

The circuit is a parallel circuit with three switches. Each part of the parallel circuit connects to a different color of thermochromic ink. In this case the background, the face, and the shirt that will change color.

When you connect each part of the circuit, electricity will flow through the conductive thread which will emit heat and change the thermochromic ink.

You'll need to make a head, a shirt, and a background with three separate pieces of conductive thread. I suggest taping them to a surface like wood. In this photo, I laser cut a pattern to follow.

Attach one end of each body part to the main positive line and the other end of each body part to the main ground line.

Now that you have your circuit, you should paint swatches of thermochromic paint onto thin paper like tissue paper. Let it dry and then put it on top of the conductive thread in your circuit. If you connect a battery to the main positive line and negative line, you should see a change in color. Be careful! Don't connect it for too long or your circuit will fry up.

If you're interested in making your circuit more interactive, you can create breaks in each conductive thread portion. Instead of connecting the thread straight to the positive line, connect it to a piece of copper tape which is connected to the main line. Create a break in the copper line. When you connect the break, you will complete that portion of the circuit.