Illustrations

Life Force Designs Projects

Introduction

The accompanying photograph (Figure 1.) captures one of the earliest Life Force Designs projects. For better or worse, that project's product did not survive the ravages of time. Many of my projects, though they once existed in physical form, now only exist on paper as sketches, or perhaps just as memories. The products of many of my art projects have survived, often through no great effort on my part. They are the subject of a separate page.

This page has been updated to concentrate on my more recent work. I think of these projects as a kind of art. This is partly because I develop them in a similar way that I used to develop art projects. Contact me if you would like me to make something for you.

Though my R-and-D budget always had its limits, in my current situation it is next to nothing. Because of this I sought out sources of very low-cost parts. In this way I discovered the marvelous, though somewhat troubling, world of electronic junk. Other people's discarded equipment, as found at places like Goodwill and RePC, (a local computer recycler) proved a fruitful source of equipment cases, parts, and project ideas. I found an old Heathkit Vacuum Tube Volt Meter which now serves as one of my more precise lab instruments. Junk film cameras provide a seemingly endless supply of xenon flash tubes, complete with circuitry. And junk toys and household items can yield all sorts of surprises. Of course, what is not reused must be disposed of. And that stuff contains some very hazardous materials.

Electronics for Art

One of my first projects was a light-sensitive sound maker. This basic concept continues to interest me. The current project consists of an electronic musical instrument and a control system that would play this instrument with the help of environmental sensors.

My sensor array currently contains mostly light sensors. They include a variety of solar cells and some photo resistors. The solar cells generate their own signal, while the photo resistors must be powered.
Shown next to the light sensors is an EMF sensor. It is taken out of a battery-powered device. It is basically a glorified low frequency radio receiver.
Many more sensor configurations and types are planned. The light sensors tend to be good for establishing background levels, as light intensity in a space does not usually change very quickly. The EMF sensor, on the other hand, tends to be more active. Sound and wind sensors are also contemplated.

Figure 3 shows a sensor preprocesor. The purpose of this unit is to power sensors that require it and to take the signals from the sensors and amplify them for further use by other parts of the system. It is also designed to provide some level detectors that fire when a chosen sensor reaches a certain level. It can also accept logic signals from sensors that might produce them (such as motion sensors) and output short pulses of either polarity. Those pulses can then be used to trigger synth or other events.

I have tried to build a lot of music synthesizers from scratch. It isn't easy. This particular unit (Figure 4) does not contain the full functionality of a classic analog synth. It's mostly a rudimentary envelope generator running a few voltage controlled amplifiers.
If you have seen photos of analog synths you may recall the mass of patch cables that usually go with them. That's because synths are modular, and can be configured in many different ways. All the modules are designed to use the same range of control voltage levels, or to produce such levels.
Some produce audio oscillations. Others produce sub-audio oscillations for modulation effects. Most synths also use envelope generators to imitate different types of voicing such as hitting, plucking, bowing. Attack, sustain and decay levels and rates can all be dynamically controlled.
This unit does not contain any oscillators. And the number of controllable parameters is limited by circuit complexity and the size of the front panel. This is one reason that musical instruments went digital. Computerizing the control interface reduces the need for rows of connectors, knobs and sliders. However, access to physical controls is important to my designs and to my design philosophy. I would try to use physical controls even if the back end were computerized.

I am reusing a junk video distribution rack to provide analog signal processing for my demonstration system. The first processing module I made converts voltage inputs to tones. The signal enters through a fader and is then added to a controllable offset voltage. This is because a sensor can produce a dc level in a no-signal condition. Offset allows the user to cancel out this at-rest level. A third control is for frequency range. The unit processes two separate input signals.

Figure 5 also shows my stereo amplifier and power supply, and an AC power strip. These are also all made from equipment found in junk stores. The amp is designed for auto use. I like these designs because they tend to be more compact than those made for home use. All I need for it is 12 volts from an old computer power supply. That power supply also gives me power for the sensor electronics.

I have used a variety of approaches to providing power to my projects. One approach is to find a case with a power supply in it and just use that. It works if the supply provides the voltages you need. The case I am using for my synth is an example of this. A more modular approach is being used for my sensor electronics. The case I am using used external power. It was an old KVM switch. I rewired its keyboard connectors (5-pin DIN, like those used for MIDI) as power connectors. The 5 pins on the connector allow +/- 5 volts and +/- 12 volts with a common ground to be supplied to any unit from a central source, such as the old computer power supply used here. I have also been known to take a power brick, break it open, and use it inside a case instead of outside. I don't like the power brick concept very much, but they are so ubiquitous that I always end up using them in some of my projects.

Twinklers

I got the idea to call my LED projects twinklers because that's what I wanted them to do. Figure 6 shows an example, but of course you can't really appreciate one without seeing it in action. To help give you some idea, a took photos of my twinkler twinkling and then assembled them into an animated GIF image which you should be able to view using your browser.

LEDs are becoming more and more plentiful at junk stores. I still buy most of my bright white LEDs new. But I have found some thrown away. I see my twinklers as an extension of my musical project. That is to say, I am interested in the visual demostration of frequencies that are musically related. So far, the latest update of my twinker has one ring of LEDs that has 10 steps and another ring that has 8 steps. So they circle at a 5 to 4 ratio, which is common in music.

Light Twinkler Animated GIF

This array of 9 LEDs is being driven by a signal that represents the interaction of 3 different frequencies. Here's the link: Click to go to the GIF. Right-click to download.

Demonstrators

A demonstrator can be used in a classroom or similar situation to illustrate electronic principles and phenomena to a group. An ideal demonstrator would be completely enclosed and not expose the users to any hazards that might commonly be associated with electronic equipment. The power brick, mentioned above, is an example of a completely enclosed electronic system that protects the user from hazardous voltages inside it. In my own work I tend to not be very concerned about such hazards, having lived with them for decades without getting hurt. If you know when to be careful, the risk of getting hurt by a piece of electronic equipment is quite low. But we cannot assume that a teacher or student would be this aware. So I must find ways to let the users of this equipment see what's going on without getting hurt. I have a lot of ideas for demonstration projects, but because of this design constraint, they are harder to make.

Figure 7 shows a high voltage discharge demonstrator. It's not much to look at, but a user can get a real close look at high voltage discharges without any risk of getting hurt. The clear cover (not pictured because it was too reflective) was found at a junk store. The high voltage transformers are from old plasma balls and they are powered by a power transistor taken from a junk power supply. The discharge tubes are from the flash units of junk cameras. The plastic tube is a cutoff from a local plastic fabrication shop.
For the technically inclined, this unit is driven by a variable-frequency and variable-duty cycle pulse-type oscillator. The duty cycle of the driving signal has a profound effect on the appearance of the disharge streamers.

Other Projects

Ewaste

This project explores the use of junk power supplies to run low-voltage lighting systems. Its purpose is to create designs that are safe and easy to make. Figure 8 shows an early prototype.
So far, research in this direction has been somewhat discouraging. I am not finding it easy to re-purpose fixed-voltage supplies to work as light dimmers (variable voltage) or as fixed-current supplies, which is what LEDs require. But I am continuing to explore this area.

Paranormal Project

Inspired by my work at the Seattle Museum of Mysteries (now known as the Northwest Museum of Legend and Lore), I have made some preliminary designs for a system intended to interact with disembodied spirits. This is still in the theory stage, but overlaps with my electronic art project.

Resources

Electronic Junk

Goodwill and RePC

These are two great sources of technology junk in my area. The Goodwill Outlet and RePC are on the same block just south of downtown. If you can find what you want at Goodwill, it will be cheaper than at RePC. But the people at Goodwill have told me (Feb 2011) that they are phasing out the sale of electronic junk at this outlet store. Still, interesting items occasionally slip through.
RePC refurbishes and resells used computers. But if someone brings in a piece of non-computer electronics and it seems to have something wrong with it, they throw it on the As-Is shelves at the back of the store. You can find some good deals there, particularly if you need an old case. RePC is overall a better source for useful items for the electronics hobbyist.

Surplus and Overstock

The first surplus store I shopped at was on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. That was the early 1970's. A store called Electronics Etc. in Berkeley was my major supplier for the years when I lived there. And in the L.A. area there is All Electronics, one of the biggest suppliers of truly surplus parts on the internet.

These days real surplus electronics stores are rare, as most of the manufacturing has moved overseas. However, some do still exist on the internet. They sell a mixture of cheap gear, kits, and new and/or surplus parts. They cater mostly to hobbyists and students now.

Fair Radio Sales

Fair Radio in Lima, Ohio, deserves special mention. Fair Radio supplied me with some of the most interesting electronic items that I have seen during my years as a hobbyist and technician. They specialize in Navy surplus radio gear. The items I purchased from them included meter movements, equipment racks, real Navy rack mount gear, and an old tube oscilloscope that still worked.