Cybernetic Scorpion: An Upcycled Circuit Sculpture

Introduction

The Cybernetic Scorpion is a sculptural upcycle project that fuses elements of Artificial Nature with discarded electronic components to create a biomechanical creature. This project reimagines e-waste as a living entity, blurring the line between technology and organic life. Using fried PCBs, resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, I constructed a scorpion sculpture that reflects the fusion of biology and machinery. This report documents the inspiration, design process, fabrication, and final results of the project.

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Aesthetic Inspiration

Artificial Nature: The Chosen Aesthetic

The Artificial Nature aesthetic envisions a world where technology and organic life intertwine, forming cybernetic organisms that evolve from discarded materials. The scorpion was an ideal subject because of its segmented body, sharp angular legs, and imposing stinger, all of which could be represented using circuit components.

Influences and Related Works:

• H.R. Giger’s Biomechanical Art – The fusion of living organisms with machinery inspired the integration of technological components into a natural form.
• Theo Jansen’s Kinetic Sculptures – His work explores mechanical creatures that mimic organic movement, reinforcing the idea of technology taking on life-like qualities.
• Electronic Waste Recycling Initiatives – The increasing volume of discarded electronics influenced my decision to upcycle rather than dispose of damaged circuit boards and components.

Materials & Sourcing

I gathered all necessary materials from previous engineering courses such as:

• Electronics Design Lab (EDL)
• Mechatronics I & II
• Circuit Design
• Senior Design Projects
• Miscellaneous fried/broken components from personal projects

Key Materials Used:

• Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) & Voltage Regulator Dev Board: Main body & Head
• Diodes, BJT Transistors & Capacitors: Legs and structural details
• IC Chips & MOSFET Transistors: Claws and tail
• Male Lead Wire Crimping: Stinger
• LEDs: Eyes for added effect
• Soldering Wire & Super Glue: Assembly methods

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Design Process

Sketching & Structural Planning

Before beginning assembly, I sketched a conceptual design to visualize component placement. The sketch guided the process by outlining the:

• Segmented body: composed of layered PCBs
• Jointed legs: using resistors and wire
• Claws: constructed from transistors and heat sinks
• Curved tail and stinger: assembled from small electronic components

Challenges in Design

• Ensuring structural stability while using fragile electronic components
• Achieving a lifelike pose with rigid circuit boards
• Maintaining aesthetic consistency while incorporating a variety of components

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Fabrication Process

Step 1: Assembling the Main Body

1. Selected and cut PCB pieces to form a rigid base
2. Superglued integrated circuits and capacitors for additional structure
3. Arranged the scorpion’s head and torso with a layered design

Step 2: Constructing the Legs and Claws

1. Soldered varied-rating capacitors, BJT transistors and wires into leg-like appendages
2. Used alligator clips and IC chips for claws, ensuring a sharp mechanical look
3. Attached each limb to the body with reinforced solder joints

Step 3: Building the Tail and Stinger

1. Stacked small heat sinks and MOSFET transistors for articulation
2. Bent thin wires to create a curved, segmented tail
3. Added a sharp metallic tip from a male jumper wire lead crimp to enhance the stinger’s design

Step 4: Final Assembly and Detail Work

1. Adjusted leg positioning to ensure balance and lifelike stance
2. Integrated LED “eyes” for a cybernetic aesthetic
3. Applied additional soldering and glue reinforcements

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Final Result and Evaluation

Completed Cybernetic Scorpion

The finished sculpture successfully represents the Artificial Nature aesthetic, transforming discarded electronics into an entity that looks both organic and mechanical.

Key Features:

1. Segmented, insect-like body made from PCBs and chips
2. Legs and pincers built from electronic components
3. Curved tail and pointed stinger, reinforcing the biomechanical feel
4. LED “eyes” that give a robotic yet lifelike touch

Comparison to Functional and Artistic Goals

Goal	Result
Create a structurally stable sculpture	√  Successfully balanced despite fragile components
Represent the Artificial Nature aesthetic	√  Achieved biomechanical fusion of tech and organic design
Upcycle electronic waste into artwork	√  Used only salvaged and broken components
Maintain lifelike proportions	√  Achieved articulated, insectoid posture
Add interactive/moving parts	×  No movement due to material constraints

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Future Improvements and Next Steps

Refinements for Future Iterations

• Improve Durability: Reinforce fragile connections with epoxy resin or stronger soldering techniques.
• Integrate Motion: Experiment with servo motors or movable joints for minor articulation
• Enhance Aesthetic Details: Add fluorescent paint or UV-reactive coatings to mimic scorpion fluorescence, and perhaps light up LEDs for a more lifelike feel
• Create a Display Base: Position the sculpture on a recycled PCB “habitat”  that mimics its environment to reinforce the Artificial Nature theme

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Final Thoughts

This project successfully transformed discarded circuit components into a compelling piece of upcycled art, showcasing the potential of e-waste in creative expression. The Cybernetic Scorpion represents the intersection of technology and nature and invites people to consider how even discarded materials can take on a second life in artistic and conceptual ways.

 

 

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Mechanical Butterfly, Added by ThunderBrine, Posted in Artificial Nature

https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Artificial_Nature?file=Mechanical_butterfly.jpg