Introducing physical computing into regular school classes is challenged by constraints of schedules and curricula structures, which do not allow for time-consuming electronics prototyping. We present a novel approach...
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(纸本)9781450343138
Introducing physical computing into regular school classes is challenged by constraints of schedules and curricula structures, which do not allow for time-consuming electronics prototyping. We present a novel approach to prototyping with physical computing components with the arduino-based TALKOO kit: It comprises hardware modules, a visual IDE and prototyping material. Sensor and actuator modules are pluggable and do not require soldering and prior knowledge in electronics. The components have the ability to "talk" back to the visual IDE and to a learning analytics system. A new paradigm for visual programming maps physical modules onto virtual representations on screen making programming more intuitive. The TALKOO kit expands the field of application of physical computing for children in regular school contexts. Preliminary evaluation results show that children were able to build elaborative prototypes within an hour.
Physical computing toolkits have long been used in educational contexts to learn about computational concepts by engaging in the making of interactive projects. This paper presents a comprehensive toolkit that can hel...
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In this paper, we present a novel polylactic-acid/flax-composite substrate and the implementation of a demonstrator: a microcontroller board based on commercial design. The substrate is developed for printed circuit b...
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In this paper, we present a novel polylactic-acid/flax-composite substrate and the implementation of a demonstrator: a microcontroller board based on commercial design. The substrate is developed for printed circuit board (PCB) applications. The pre-preg is biodegradable, reinforced, and flame-retarded. The novel material was developed to counter the increasing amount of e-waste and to improve the sustainability of the microelectronics sector. The motivation was to present a working circuit in commercial complexity that can be implemented on a rigid substrate made of natural, bio-based materials with a structure very similar to the widely used Flame Retardant Class 4 (FR4) substrate at an early technological readiness level (2-3). The circuit design is based on the arduino Nano open-source microcontroller board design so that the demonstration could be programmable and easy to fit into education, IoT applications, and embedded designs. During the work, the design was optimized at the level of layout. The copper-clad pre-preg was then prepared and processed with subtractive printed wiring technology and through hole plating. The traditional surface mounting methodology was applied for assembly. The resulting yield of PCB production was around 50%. Signal analysis was successful with analogue data acquisition (voltage) and low-frequency (4 kHz) tests, indistinguishable from sample FR4 boards. Eventually, the samples were subjected to highly accelerated stress test (HAST). HAST tests revealed limitations compared to traditional FR4 printed circuit materials. After six cycles, the weight loss was around 30% in the case of PLA/Flax, and as three-point bending tests showed, the possible ultimate strength (25 MPa at a flexural state) was reduced by 80%. Finally, the sustainability aspect was assessed, where we found that similar to 95 vol% and similar to 90 wt% of the traditional substrate can be substituted, significantly easing the load of waste on the environment.
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