Pen can draw working electronic circuits

Aiming to show how easy it can be to create a working circuit — and inspire kids in the process — Circuit Scribe is a conductive ink pen that lets anyone turn their paper doodles into electronic inventions.

This is part of a new series of articles that looks at entrepreneurs hoping to get their ideas off the ground through crowdfunding. At the time of writing, each of these innovations is currently seeking funding.

Adults who took electronics classes in school may remember circuit boards, soldering irons and lots of frustration. Aiming to show how easy it can be to create a working circuit — and inspire kids in the process — Circuit Scribe is a conductive ink pen that lets anyone turn their paper doodles into electronic inventions.

Rather than relying on awkward and difficult-to-use breadboard bases, which require a fair amount of skill to ensure everything works properly, the Circuit Scribe uses conductive ink to allow both kids and adults to create working circuits directly in their notebooks. While conductive paints have been available for years, they require time to dry and can often get smudged. The Circuit Scribe pen dries instantly and — once everything has been drawn out — can have real electronic components simply added in order to work. Users can get creative and have a folding surface act as a switch, or integrate electronics as part of an arty drawing. The pen is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, where it can be purchased from USD 20 until 1 January. The video below is from the Circuit Scribe campaign page:

Are there other ways to break down the barriers to get both children and adults to learn how to create their own electronic devices?

Kickstarter: www.kck.st/1jlr8Ar

Spotted by Murray Orange, written by Springwise