Finally started making progress on #transhealth Electrolysis Machine, used for permanent hair removal. This will be a controlled current source, settable from 0 to 2mA, designed to pass a DC current through the base of a hair follicle, killing it for good. I am developing this project in discrete stages, with each acting as a proof of concept as the project takes form. I intend the final project outcome to be cheap, battery powered consumer electronics hair removal system, as well as a DIY project kit, and as always, an open source and free to distribute resource for anyone wishing to build this project on their own.
The first stage of this project, is making sure that we can accurately measure the current that will eventually be passed through the electrode, and into the skin, using an Arduino Nano Microcontroller. I have selected this development board as it is cheap, easy to find and easy to prototype with, and I want to make this project as cheap and as easy for people to implement on their own as possible.
The next phase will be designing the control system, ensuring that our Arduino nano is capable of controlling and maintaining a fixed current, regardless of the load between the electrodes. My first approach for this will likely be a simple transistor amplifier driven with PWM, although I am interested in finding a controllable, fixed current source that will regulate the current to safe levels, regardless of the output of the microcontroller.
I am sure that after implementing the control system, we will have to go back and review the performance of the measurement system, to make sure it is capable of delivering the currents required to make this work.
Once the control & detection system is finished, the next stage will be implementing a simple OLED menu system and user interface to set the device up at the correct output. I aim to use a rotary encoder as the main input device, and potentially have a series of predefined or user adjustable modes on buttons.
The final steps towards realising this project is going to involve first finding a simple, cheap and most importantly safe battery system. I would like this to be chargable by a typical USB connector/Phone charger. I want the battery system to be self managing, and report battery errors to the user before any dangerous condition can develop.
Once all electronic development work is completed, I will tie the design down to a single PCB, which I will make available for purchase as soon as it has been verified.
Finally, with the entire system working as intended and PCBs designed and tested, the plan is to design a 3D printable case that is robust and material/cost efficient.
I aim to have this project finished by the start of summer, 2023. If you are interested in helping design work for this project, please contact me using my social links below. Else if you are just interested in donating money towards this project, or wish to stay on top of updates as the system is developed, consider buying me a coffee, or following progress on Ko-Fi