Wireless Inductive LEDs

Everything is made better with LEDs, right? They make things sparkly, and can be a useful visual feedback mechanism. Some time ago, I investigated an RFID tag that had a built-in LED which was lit when the tag was read - energised by the electromagnetic field as it was brought close to the RFID reader, as found in Skylanders "Lightcore" figures. However, I found that approach was somewhat flawed, and also unnecessarily complicated when all you wanted was an aesthetic effect, not linked to RFID identification.

Fortunately, that's where these wireless LEDs might just help - they're much simpler, passive components that are powered solely by induction from a nearby coil. They're small, cheap, can be embedded in 3D-printed parts, resin, or any other props, and never need to be accessed. They have a range of up to almost 40cm from the transmitter coil, and you can even make your own using simple discrete parts!

[edwardpaulsen]

Nice video explaining this tech, Nice examples to show how the system works coil works... the inductive transfer of energy is dependent on the size of the wire, the number of "turns" or loops, the resonance frequency, and the distance... I first heard of them via an Imagineer I knew and about a year ago I used them to create a nifty D&D piece... It was a mimic and some moveable treasures... I used a magnetic hall effect sensor on a platform inside and placed the magnet in one 3D print which would turn it on, then I placed wireless LEDs in several other 3D prints that could be placed in different locations around the treasure chest that contained the coil... As you showed, the orientation of the LED will also change the brightness as it is moved into and around the field, and I used a multi axis inductor to counter that in two of the items. There were some obstacles to overcome in my project, but with a bit of math and perseverance and ingenuity, I made them work. There are also some interesting possibilities for using capacitive touch sensors and even MIMS orientation circuits as well.

[NerdiestPerson]

When I first learned that these existed, my first reaction was to run to Amazon and Etsy only to be disappointed that apparently nobody was selling resin-cast dice with them embedded inside. Hide the coil in a dice tray and I think you'd have a pretty neat setup for your tabletop sessions.

[chrislitak]

Cool feedback application! My one idea is to use multiple sizes with a wand / divining rod and you could even use it as a meter that "grows" or "charges up" in strength as you get closer (5mm works further away, then 4mm as you get closer)

[KrazeeKraftZ]

Funnily enough I ordered some of these earlier today and this video just came up on my YouTube suggestions 😂

Hopefully in a few days I'll get to have a play with them!

[jenniferhernandez]

I had jars of sprinkles that are scattered around the room that you need to collect and place on a shelf. I couldn't figure out a reason why you would need to put them in order. Then I discovered these lights. I superglued a ring of these inside each jar. Unless you look really close, you don't even notice them, but when you put them on the shelf, they "magically" light up a color. It's a really cool effect, especially since this particular room is geared towards families.

[jakoblauridsen]

Super neat! Would love to see a puzzle idea using this tech from you, maybe something where using different led types like you described is part of the pattern they have to guess or somethimg

[imbw]

Disney imagineers had made a 3-coil setup with full bridge rectification so that regardless of the orientation the LED would light up

[lwo]

I'm currently building a room with some DnD properties, and I think I'm going to 3d print some dice with clear filament, stop mid-print and embed these in the centre of the die. Then they have to throw them through the loop to see which die relates to which colour

[LionTree]

Just ordered a huge batch of these from your Patreon Link! Thx

[MihaiMihai-zwrz]

Very nice! It would be extremely interesting if you could do the same project but on a larger scale.
Let's say a shelf 1 meter long and 20 cm wide, and each glass that would stand on the shelf being illuminated by a led.
What electronic parts would be needed?
Thanks for sharing! All the best!

[IuliusCurt]

Looking at that large coil I want to make a game where things need to go through that hoop and they will light up when traversing. Haven't figure out what to do with this effect yet

[D_Printing]

Sound like this could be used to measure a distance ?

[anyothernamelikemashugana]

Ive been struggling with the brightness should a 24v adapter enhance the range and brightness?

[DoubleSixx]

Could you please link to the driver needed ? Any of the components would be helpful. I'm not an electrician.

[penguin]

I’m new to all this, so sorry if I sound uninformed, but based off what you said, would it be possible in creating an rfid figure that lights up when placed on the tag? I have several figures I want to light up and have been brainstorming ways of getting them leds without any wires showing

[nik]

Which parts do you need to build this lights by your selfe? What is the name from this parts?

[oOoKaPuTTsCHiNoOo]

So how do you power the coil? What pcb are you using? And what power supply? :)
I just found your yt channel and you earned yourself an instant sub :D

[excrubulent]

When you talk about when the LEDs light up vs when the RFID tag is recognised, what about an arduino or similar that can read the RFID tag and only power up the coil when the correct item is placed on? It wouldn't have the cool proximity-fading-in effect, but it would still work as feedback. Also if you still wanted the fade-in, you could ramp up the power when the RFID is detected.

[deddymajenang]

Amazing Magic ELektrokinesis👍👍👍👍👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[JoshuaRilliet]

Hi, I've taken the small component that makes these LEDs wireless from some LED bulbs, but I've noticed that the LEDs flash but don't stay lit. Could you tell me what makes this happen and perhaps how to get the LEDs to light up when they pass through a wireless ring and stay lit without flashing?