Paper Breadboard

Note: Complete circuit pictures and paper circuits and switches activities before tackling this project. Know the difference between series, parallel, and short circuits.

Relying on airplanes, boxes, and collages to experiment with circuit constructions can be time consuming, frustrating, and wasteful. Before you spend time and effort adding experimental circuits to origami projects, test the circuit to make sure it functions properly. This is most easily done with a breadboard.

In this tutorial, you will develop your own paper-based breadboard.

Get an approximately 4 inch strip of magnetic tape and cut it in half lengthwise.

Remove the backing of one strip to expose the sticky side. Position the sticky edge to face upwards. Then carefully cut a nib (about 1/4 squares). When cut, the non-sticky side of the magnet will catch on your metal scissors--keeping the sticky side open to the air. You will need a total of 30 nibs so plan accordingly. Their purpose will be to hold component leads in place on your breadboard.

Grab a piece of lined paper and and arrange it so that the lines run vertically (as pictured). Place the magnetic nib near the top left--proving space for a margin. Cut additional nibs and create the first horizontal row of six nibs (adding two lines of space between each nib).

After creating the first row, make the first column on the far right of the paper. Add about 1/2 inch space between rows. Then add the remaining nibs.

Once all the nibs have been placed. Add one strip of copper tape down the first and last vertical columns (as pictured). To do this, remove the backing of one piece of copper tape and place it over the nib at the top of the column. Then carefully press the tape into the gap between nibs. Next, press the tape on the next nib. Repeat until the copper tape covers all nibs in the column. Then continue adding tape to the bottom of the paper (as pictured). Make sure the copper tape strip covers the top of each magnet nib. Try not to rip the tape.

Get five strips of copper tape to create the rows. You will place these pieces horizontally over the magnets but leave a gap between the first and last column.

At the bottom-right of the paper, place another piece of copper tape so that it overlaps the last vertical column and extends horizontally to the edge of the first column (see picture). This tape will act as a wire to connect your power source (a 3V battery).

With a scrap piece of paper and another piece of copper tape, add an extension to the first column so that it creates a flap. To better secure this flap, you may want to add a piece of transparent tape to the back.

You have completed your breadboard!

Create a simple circuit by adding a paperclip that connects the first column with the top row. The magnet nibs should secure the paper clip.

Add an LED between the first and second rows (remembering LED polarity for battery placement). Again, the magnetic nibs should secure the LED.

Add another paper clip from the second row to the last column. You should be able to trace the circuit from the flap in the first column (where the battery will be attached) through the components and back to the battery.

Secure your battery with a binder binder or paper clip. The LED should light!

If not, make sure your components are secured and component polarity is correct.

Add another LED between the first and second row. Trace the paths between both LEDs.

Is this a series or a parallel circuit?

Remove the second LED.

Add a 10K resistor between rows 2 and 3. Unlike LEDs, resistors are not attracted to magnets. They will need to be secured to the breadboard. While previous projects used transparent tape for this purpose, the adhesive on transparent tape is strong and can damage the breadboard if removed. Instead, use the adhesive portion of sticky notes. Cut the adhesive portion into small strips and use those strips to secure the resistor to the breadboard.

Lastly, move the paper clip connecting the last column from row 2 to row 3 (as pictured). The LED should light up--though dimmer than in the previous circuits.

Is this a series or a parallel circuit?

Add another LED between rows 1 and 2. Both LEDs should light, though dimly. Trace the circuit path through each LED.

Are the LEDs in series or parallel to each other?

Is the resistor in series or parallel to each LED?