News : EL Wire and Electroluminescent Wire
EL Wire is a bit tricky if all you want to do is glow. But there's a lot to know about the technology, as well as helpful information to get you addicted to it. EL Wire is a thin copper wire that gives off a beautiful glow when an electric charge is applied. There are 10 color ...more
Instructable user samsmith17's solution for riding in the dark is a lot snazzier than your typical bicycle light: "This summer I realized that you don’t need a driver to run your el wire if you’re putting it on a bike. I hooked a stepper motor up to a transformer from an old ...more
Vibrant Blue EL Wire, the brightest of all 10 colors, is available by the foot. You can purchase as much or as little as you like.
This is the Vibrant Blue EL Wire, it's the brightest color in all 10 colors. It gives off a fantastic teal blue color when charged, and when it's not lit, it looks clear.
I always found that those safety lights for bicyclists on the market were never good enough when riding in the dark. That got me thinking about people who use wheelchairs and how unsafe the night could be when they want to go out. So here's what I came up with: I decked out t ...more
EL wire is known as the Currency of Burning Man, and it's potential to create beautiful light in all sorts of settings is amazing. If you're tired of buying it and want to stock up on some DIY EL wire (which is more in the spirit of Burning Man anyway right?) watch this video ...more
Here's a children's umbrella lined with neon green EL wire. It's definitely an easy and fun project for kids to do with their parents, and more importantly, it keeps the little mischiefs safer if they're out and about on rainy days. For even more creative inspiration ideas us ...more
Electroluminescent substances have become more and more popular lately in all kinds of projects, from toy glasses to EQ t-shirts. They allow you to create incredibly thin circuits that can be silkscreened onto a clear flat substance. Watch this video to learn how to layer circ ...more
This is a new line of work I've started - inspired by string art of Archimedean Lines, these are 3-dimensional sculptures made using Electro-Luminescent Wire weaved around a clear acrylic frame. They hang on the wall, but each has a sense of depth so their look alters from dif ...more
At one time or another, we've all enjoyed the visualizations that came stock in Windows Media Player. I remember spending hours listening to my favorite album, putting the graphic equalizer on full screen, and getting lost in the flurry of colors that would dance across the sc ...more
Electroluminescent devices need electricity to light up, clearly, so if you're working on an EL project building a proper power supply is crucial. In this video you'll learn how to make a DIY power supply for your EL projects that is safe, effective, and cheap.
Looking to find out how to solder EL or electro luminescent wire? This is a great tutorial on cutting the jacket and soldering the 40 gauge corona wires. They're very fine wires and you don't want to nick them while stripping them. You also need copper tape to help join the wi ...more
Are you a "Tron" fanatic? Then this laptop case will blow your mind. Styled after the streamlined, glow-in-the-dark "Tron" cinematography, this laptop bag looks like a "Tron" suit and will shine even at night. Tote your Thinkpad and port your Apple in style with our custom TR ...more
Did you know that electroluminescent (EL) wire is considered by some to be the currency of Burning Man? If you're thinking of going and want to stock up before (smart) watch this video featuring EL whiz Jeri Ellsworth (smarter) teaching you how to make DIY EL wire. Learn how ...more
Want to make your own sexy (or not) Tron costume like designer Syuzi's? All you need is a black body suit and some electroluminescent wire. The bodysuit is easy, but as for the electroluminescent wire, you'll need Adafruit for that: "EL Wire, also known as Electroluminescent ...more
In this clip, you'll learn how to convert a standard USB keyboard into a backlit keyboard with a little bit of el wire. It's an easy process and this video presents a complete guide. For more information, including a full demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, ...more
This Halloween, enter The Grid by making your own Tron Legacy costume. This guide will show you how to make a cheap Tron costume for Halloween to impress everyone at this year's party. You can use EL wire to make the shirt get that blue outline.
You know those cool skintight black bodysuits they wear in "Tron"? They seem like costumes only the best of movie costume designers - and CG artists - can produce, but you can make a pretty good replica at home. Just check out this video to learn how to make a "Tron: Legacy" ...more
If your bicycle's feeling a little dull these days, then give it some personality! Using the crafty ideas below, you can transform your two-wheeler in a unique work of mobile art that will have everyone jealous. You can simply add some colorful postcards between the spokes of ...more
Whether or not The Purge franchise will be as successful as Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, or even the Saw movies remains to be seen, but it's definitely winning in the Halloween costumes department. Don't Miss: Halloween Makeup Masks from Purge: Anar ...more
This could be one of the easiest recipes you can stir up at dinnertime. The kids will love it! Betty Crocker Kitchens shows you how to make a crunchy crust southwestern cube steak. It's actually a really good idea, and could possibly be applied to other things besides cube ste ...more
You walk over to your laptop, wiggle your mouse to wake up the screen, then fire up your browser to come visit Null Byte. Catching the article about Anonymous and how they presumably will not take down the Internet, you find yourself wondering... how would someone take down th ...more
I first heard the term molecular gastronomy while watching an episode of Bravo's Top Chef a few seasons back. Intrigued by the concept, I sought to find out more about this modern, deconstructed type of cookery. If you happen to be around foodies and the topic of molecular gas ...more