Interactive Model of Brain Function
For my final project I will be making an interactive model of neuronal activity and signal transduction in the brain in collaboration with my roommate, Farre Nixon. The model will consist of a number of model "neurons" that will hang from a 3' x 4' grid mounted on a ceiling. Viewers will be able to walk through the model, acting as a signal that will travel through the network of neurons.
The neurons will be represented by hanging lengths of stretchy nylon yarn and silicon strips with embedded circuitry. Each neuron will be embedded with LEDs or vibrating pager motors that will turn on when that neuron becomes "active". There will also be hanging strips of conductive fabric that will act as switches to turn on the LEDs and motors. When a viewer walks through the network of "neurons", they will brush the lengths of conductive fabric, which will complete a circuit and turn on the LEDs and motors. As the viewer walks through the model, the neurons they brush will become active, as though the signal is being transmitted from neuron to neuron down the length of the model. Activation of the motors and LEDs will allow the viewer to both see and feel the signal being transduced.
preliminary sketch of the model:
Model Neurons
The individual neurons will be represented by 5' strips of the yarn I created for the yarn assignment. The yarn is made of two strips of nylon-spandex sewn together down the sides. This creates a curly effect, and the yarn somewhat resembles the sulci and gyri (folds and ridges) in the human cortex. Strands of surface-mount LEDs wired in parallel with conductive thread will be threaded through the tubular yarn, which will both insulate the circuitry and disperse the light from the LEDs. Some of these yarns will encase pager motors instead of LEDs. In addition, some of the neurons will be made out of strips of latex tubing or silicon with LEDs or motors embedded. The silicon/latex neurons will hang in a diamond from the center of the grid.
(picture of yarn, picture of human cerebral cortex)
Circuitry
(diagrams of circuits)
Motivation and previous work in the area
While brainstorming ideas for this project, I was thinking of an installation I saw recently at the Denver Art Museum. The installation is essentially a "forest" of loosely strung bungy cords that viewers are invited to walk through. The concept is simple, but walking through the bungies creates a very vivid sensation that is both visually and physically interesting. I liked that viewers were able to interact with the exhibit, and I wanted to create something that would similarly give people the feeling of being inside something larger. Also, as a student of neuroscience, I am constantly thinking about brains, and liked the idea of creating a model that could demonstrate the concepts underlying brain function. Thus, after some discussion, we came up with the idea to make a conceptual model that people could interact with, literally acting as part of the brain.
(picture of DAM exhibit).
Timeline
April 14th - 23 - finalize design, experiment with techniques, order components
April 24 - 30th - Construction; complete a smaller prototype by April 30th
May1st - May 13th - build on prototype to make completed version, trouble shoot