Heatit°C
Open-Source Platform for Dynamic Materials
Bringing heat-activated materials to life
Why We Created It
Many dynamic materials—such as Nitinol (shape-memory alloys), thermochromic inks, solenoids, and soft actuators—require higher power levels than typical prototyping boards can provide. Traditional setups often involve bulky circuits, external power modules, and complex integrations, limiting their use in mobile or embedded applications.
With Heatit°C, we aimed to create a compact, open-source platform that simplifies the process, making it easier to integrate heat-activated materials into prototypes, interactive projects, and real-world applications.
Heatit°C was developed in collaboration with Kärt Ojavee and Susan Ngo, combining expertise in textile innovation, interactive design, and material experimentation.
How It Works
Heatit°C is based on the Arduino environment, with a modified board designed to handle higher power outputs safely and efficiently. It supports a range of heating-based materials and actuators, allowing users to prototype kinetic sculptures, shape-changing surfaces, soft robotics, and more—without the usual constraints of external power management.
- Higher Power Handling – Supports dynamic materials that require more current than standard microcontrollers can provide
- Compact & Modular – Easily integrated into both static and mobile applications
- Open-Source & Hackable – Built for makers, researchers, and designers who want to push the boundaries of interactive material design
What You Can Make with Heatit°C
Heatit°C enables a variety of interactive and kinetic designs, including:
- ⚡ Shape-Shifting Materials – Nitinol-based actuators for dynamic movement
- ⚡ Thermochromic Displays – Textiles and surfaces that change color with heat
- ⚡ Soft Robotics – Shape-memory polymers and responsive structures
- ⚡ Interactive Wearables – Smart garments that adapt to environmental changes
- ⚡ Kinetic Installations – Art and design projects with animated heat-driven elements
Kickstarter & Community Support
Heatit°C launched on Kickstarter, gathering support from a community of makers, engineers, and artists eager to experiment with heat-activated materials. As an open-source project, it invites collaboration, modifications, and creative experimentation.
Whether you're a designer exploring smart textiles, an engineer building responsive environments, or an artist experimenting with kinetic sculptures, Heatit°C gives you the power to create.
🔗 Check out the Kickstarter campaign here: Kickstarter Page