Week 3(b): Graduation Project Mind Map and Interaction Relationship Diagram + Arduino Circuit diagram Sketch

1. Create the Mind map and Interactive Diagram for my Graduation project

In my previous supervisor meeting, I received feedback on my project. My supervisor suggested that I start designing an interactive model sketch and mind map, which would allow the audience to experience and provide feedback on the interaction. This approach will help refine my concept and make it more realistic before moving into more complex development.

Graduation Project Mind Map Download

Project Research and Methodology:

During a one-to-one meeting, my supervisor suggested that I create a sketch for my Arduino device to clarify the components required and to support the later stages of installation. Following this guidance, I conducted extensive research into literature related to the collection of plant bioelectrical signals. During this process, I was inspired by the practices shared in plant-based technology blogs, which explored how bioelectrical signals could be transformed into music in Electricity of Progress. Additionally, I discovered Sam Cusumano’s Biodata Sonification Breadboard Kit on GitHub, which includes a detailed, step-by-step guide for building a similar device.

Further, I found that Kurundkar et al. (2023) research demonstrated that this device measures microcurrent fluctuations across the surface of a plant’s leaf, allowing us to listen to the invisible biological processes occurring within plants. When changes in conductivity are detected, the device generates musical notes, transforming bioelectrical signals into sound. These electrical variations can be used to create music and explore the hidden expressions of plant life that are beyond human perception.

Arduino Hardware Components list:

Research Goals:

Utilise Arduino and electronic sensors to capture bioelectrical data from plants.
Transmission of the plant’s bioelectrical signal into an audio sound
Utilised the audio sound generated by the plant signal in a visual form.

My Expected Outcomes

My project focuses on developing a Biodata Sonar Arduino Shield that captures and transmits plant bioelectrical signals. These signals are not translated into human language or communication systems, but are instead transformed into MIDI-based musical outputs and generative visuals. The aim is not to decode plant signals in human terms, but to present them in a form that engages our sensory perception. By doing so, the project encourages an embodied and intuitive experience of plant activity, allowing audiences to sense the presence and rhythms of plant life. This approach positions plants not as passive objects but as active participants within the ecosystem, expressing themselves through their own biological patterns.

Method Overview：

This project adopts the bio-data sonification method proposed by Kurundkar et al. (2023), while adapting and expanding it to align with the specific goals of my research. Kurundkar et al. suggest that bio-data sonification offers a unique way to “listen” to the invisible biological processes taking place within plants. Their system measures microcurrent fluctuations on the surface of plant leaves and generates musical notes in response to changes in conductivity, thereby transforming plant bioelectrical activity into an auditory experience that allows people to perceive how plants interact with their environment.

Building on this foundation, my project seeks to go beyond a purely auditory dimension by exploring how plant signals can also be made visible. Rather than simply translating data into sound, the project investigates how plant bioelectrical activity can be expressed through changes in light, colour, and form.

Create Arduino Biodata Signification device Circuit Diagram and Breadboard prototype

During the research phase of the project, I explored the principles behind plant-based sound generation and came across a detailed Arduino instruction guide on the website Electricity for Progress. This guide offered step-by-step instructions for building a bioelectrical sonification device, including clear circuit layouts and a comprehensive list of required components. It helped me quickly understand the logic behind the setup and provided a solid foundation for developing my own system. By following the structure and methodology outlined in the guide, I was able to clarify the types of materials needed and gain a more intuitive grasp of how to physically assemble a functioning Arduino-based signal interpretation circuit.

Building upon this resource, I began preparing for the installation sketch of the Arduino hardware by using Fritzing to create both the circuit diagram and the initial breadboard prototype (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). This process allowed me to clearly visualise the wiring layout and component placement, which significantly reduced the risk of connection errors during physical assembly. While building the virtual circuit, I made use of Fritzing’s “Routing Completed” confirmation, which indicated that all the wires and components were properly connected within the system. This message served as an important checkpoint that validated the logical structure of the device and confirmed that the required components were correctly planned. By testing the circuit step by step in Fritzing’s simulated environment, I ensured that the design is ready for real-world implementation. Based on this verified layout, I will proceed to source the necessary Arduino materials through UAL CCI and online platforms and begin the physical installation in the next stage.

Instruction Guide from electricity for progress

Arduino_Bioelectrical_installation Handbook Download