If you’re looking for a last-minute Christmas present, you probably won’t have enough time to reproduce [Helmar’s] candle-powered Christmas card. He’s been working on it for a few years now, since his first prototype in 2010. Though he pieced together the original card with parts lying around his workshop, the most recent iteration looks like it belongs on the shelf in a store.
We last saw [Helmar’s] work two years ago, when he shared his Full Color Laser TV. This project is a bit more compact: the circuitry was printed with conductive ink on the cardstock, and all the required components are held together by conductive adhesive. To power the electronics, he decided against a battery and instead chose to embed a solar cell on the inside of the card. Placing a lit candle inside the open card provides enough juice for the exterior of the card to shine.
You can see a video of both the current and prototype versions of [Helmar’s] cards after the break.
That second one needs some backing so you don’t get a ghost image of the electronics to spoil the effect. they are really neat though
That was the prototype from 2010 just showing the progression of the project. Nice work!
I think that is beautiful. Thanks.
Two thoughts came to mind: Beautiful. Fire hazard.
It might be operable on one of those flameless ones
Doubt it, wouldn’t produce as much light to the sides, and wouldn’t be as full of a spectrum as the light an actual candle gives, meaning less energy.
Maybe put the little candle inside of a small hurricane glass. On the other hand, boy, would it work great while the back page is going up in flames!
LOL
There’s some sort of idea in there for “this message will self-destruct”. An audio message stored in paper electronics, powered by it’s own catching fire.
Maybe print a few thermocouples in there.
Nice card. Speaking of Christmas, I just got an Arduino Yun and an Arduino Due.
Cool although yes, it’s a potential fire hazard.
I thought it ran on heat somehow when I saw that big metal plate in the preview image.