TUTORIAL
FID implants, including Amie
DD’s Tesla-opening one in her
arm, are rapidly becoming more
mainstream. However, some
biohacking has been mainstream
for longer, with varying degrees
of permanence. Merriam-Webster defines
biohacking as “biological experimentation done
to improve the qualities or capabilities of living
organisms.” We’ve been putting cochlear implants
and pacemakers in people for decades.
However, you don’t have to go to such extreme
lengths to get started: putting functional tech in your
nails is a form of biohacking, albeit ‘soft’ biohacking.
By attaching something to your nails you can have it
embedded and part of you at all times... until the nail
grows out, at least. For a three- to four-week
commitment, we look at how to make a small circuit
waterproof, scuff-proof, and perhaps workshop-proof
(as long as you don’t use acetone a lot).PREPARATION
As with all fabrication, preparing the working surface
is an essential starting point, and it’s no different with
nails. Just as you would prepare a wall for painting,
you need to prepare the nail so it is smooth, free ofdirt and grease, and has a good surface for adhesion.
Starting with clean hands, check for any broken or
rough parts to the nail and smooth them with a file.
You don’t need to file the surface, just the edge.
Where your skin joins the nail is a bit called the
cuticle, and it is largely dead skin. Push along thenail with the orange stick from the top of your nail
towards your hand, and push off any dead skin you
find. Do not push the stick under your skin.PRIMER
Now the cuticle is sorted out, it won’t get under the
edge of the acrylic and let it lift up. Nails have natural
oil in them, so we need to dehydrate the nail. To do
this, wipe with isopropyl alcohol. Try not to touch it
with your fingertips from now on, as it could putEmbed NFC tags
in your nails
Add electronics to your hands and become
a cyborg (for four weeks)Embed NFC tags in your nails
R
Tanya Fish
@tanuraiTanya has a day job
as a crew member at
Pimoroni – making
learning materials for
schools, devising and
running workshops, and
writing tutorials. In her
spare time, she makes
stuff because she can’t
help herself, enthuses
loudly about all things
STEAM, and herds
chihuahuas. She also
lectures for Sheffield
Hallam University on
emerging technologies
and has experience
as a conference
speaker and
technology presenter
at STEM events and
digital festivals.By attaching something
to your nails you can have
it embedded and part
of you at all times”
”