IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONICS

An exercise in both speculative design and near future thinking, this exploration of implantable electronics was intended to push the boundaries of how people think about their bodies and their sense of self.  As my master's thesis project at the Stanford Graduate Design program, this project began as an investigation into the body modification community, a group of people that often view their bodies as a canvas for self expression.  Our goal was to look into the most extreme members of this community: the kinds of people who push their bodies to new places with procedures such as tongue splitting, cartilage shaping, and magnetic implants.  From talking with these extreme users we learned that in many ways body modification for them is about expanding the bounds of their humanity, improving their bodies and giving themselves superpowers that they wouldn't otherwise have.

Throughout the project, my partners and I developed a variety of prototypes to test the concept of implantable LEDs.  From designing and cutting custom circuits, investigating flexible electronics and fake skin, and even running experiments with cadavers, my team and I consistently innovated and created high fidelity prototypes that we tested in environments from college dining halls to massive raves.  In addition, we investigated the regulatory situation surrounding body modification, and the potential future uses, both medical and aesthetic, of implantable electronics.