Prototype 1
Our first prototype was testing Thermochromic and photochromic pigments. We began by mixing the pigments with water, which we found did not mix. We then used water color binder to mix the pigment and it worked well. We then painted on both the thermochromic and photochromic dyes on canvas, wool and cotton yarn. All of which changed color based on heat and UV light. We then dipped canvas, wool and cotton yarn into the dyes. We found this gave them a much more even coat. The colors however looked more vibrant on the white cotton yarn. We also tested what would happen to the pigment if we washed the two type of yarn and found that the dye washed out of the wool yarn, but remained in the cotton yarn. We expressed more interest in how the UV light changed the dye, the colors looked more vibrant. We did however notice that the yarn does get stiffer after the dye has dried. We have begun research of different kinds of binders for specific material in search of something that will help minimize the stiffness of the material we will work with.
This video demonstrates how the UV leds change the photochromic dye painted on to the piece of canvas.
This video displays how the thermochromic dye can still be vibrantly activated after dying the cotton yarn and applying heat.
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