Brainy is a beautiful PCB pin badge, it is shaped like a brain and it has a funny face with a band-aid. Wear it and shine everywhere!

It has 8 charlieplexed white Led's, 6 on the front and 2 on the back. They simulate the neurons activity. It is powered with a CR2032 battery and has a button to select the desired animation. Press it for change the animation or to turn it off (low power mode).

Is controlled by a PIC12LF1822 and all the design files (Eagle PCB project and MPLAB firmware) are open source, so you can make your own animations and upload it with the built-in ICSP connector. Use your brain and customize your badge!!!

I designed the PCB on Eagle with the help of Inkscape and svgtoeagle to get the image into the CAD software.

PCBWay has done great job making the board, specially with the outline. I soldered the components with hot air and I used a stencil to apply the solder paste.

Why I make it?

I had a brain surgery on march 28 2020, I got a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt due to a tumor in my tectal plate that was causing hydrocephalus. The tumor can't be removed, it's to risky. But with the valve I am going to be ok for a while.

Some people helped me get through this, so I made this badge for thanking them in the most memorable way I could think.

My family and friends also helped me with the emotional support I needed. As an introvert it is hard to me to say "Thank you" in a deeper way. So I used my abilities to materialize this feeling in a PCB Badge.

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Thanks!