SUNLIT
Sunlit is a bucket hat that senses when the user has been exposed to 2hrs of UV outdoors and alerts them to put on sunscreen. When in the dark, the hat senses the lack of light and turns on LEDs to light the user's way.
I began my project by ideating how I wanted the hat to look and where it could be worn. The hat would function well at events such as day-long hikes, festivals, travel (such as walking home at night and showing cars your presence), and much more. As sunlight disappears and the atmosphere gets darker, parts of the hat light up with LEDs to show your presence when walking around at night. The sensors are secured at the top of the hat behind a 3D printed exoskeleton that allows light through but protects the sensors.
MATERIALS: Adafruit Circuit Playground, Flora UV sensor, LED strip, bucket hat, double sided tape, battery, 3D printed shell (2 pieces), wires, electrical tape, velcro, needle and thread, sheer sparkly fabric
Circuit design
Generally, when exposed to the sun or swimming, it is recommended that people reapply their sunscreen every two hours to receive more protection. SPF 30 is the lowest sunscreen recommended when mainly performing day-to-day activities. However, if the person is often operating outside in the sun, SPF 60 or greater should be used. Too much exposure to the sun can severely impact one's skin. When sunburned, the skin’s cells and blood vessels are damaged. Even if the skin is not burned, constant sun exposure over a lifetime can cause skin cancer and premature aging.
I programed the Flora UV sensor and the Adafruit Circuit Playground to begin a timer when exposed to UV rays and set an alert to ring every two hours. The sensor was also coded to detect the lack of light around the hat and trigger the attached LEDs according to the light levels detected.
I 3D modeled the hat shell on Fusion 360 as two pieces. The top has a cut out geometric pattern with part of the hinge at the back and a piece to clip into the bottom piece at it's front. The bottom was printed onto fishnetting so it could be sewn to the hat.
The bottom has the other piece of the hinge at the back and the clip end at the front. The LEDs are covered with a sheer sparkly fabric and wrapped around the hat. The wiring is threaded through the hat lining to the top shell, where the UV sensor, battery, and Circuit Playground rest.
Final results
