A team at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Interactive Telecommunications Program turned discarded vape cartridges into a simple electronic instrument to highlight growing electronic waste. Instructors and researchers David Rios, Kari S. Love and Shuang Cai salvaged a low-pressure sensor, a lithium battery and the mouthpiece and combined them into a crude ocarina-like synthesizer.
The instrument produces a high, squeaky tone when the player inhales through the mouthpiece and presses buttons on the cartridge. The design detects air pressure from sucking rather than blowing, so its operation is roughly the opposite of a standard wind instrument.
The team documented the process and released open-source instructions aimed at hobbyists and DIY makers. The materials explain how to reuse components safely and how to assemble a working synth from discarded vape parts. Repurposing these components extends the useful life of circuits and batteries and helps keep parts out of landfills.
In a video, the NYU makers test their synths and describe their goals, focusing on hands-on reuse and imaginative approaches to electronic waste. Source material comes from NYU and the story was shared by Futurity.
Difficult words
- discard — to get rid of something no longer wanteddiscarded
- cartridge — a small container used for parts or liquidscartridges
- sensor — a device that measures physical conditions like pressurelow-pressure sensor
- battery — a device that stores electrical energy for deviceslithium battery
- synthesizer — an electronic device that creates musical soundssynths
- inhale — to breathe air inward through the mouth or noseinhales
- repurpose — to use something for a new purposeRepurposing
- landfill — a place where waste is buried or storedlandfills
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think creating musical instruments from electronic waste can change how people view disposable devices? Why or why not?
- What safety or practical challenges might hobbyists face when reusing electronic components from discarded products? Give examples.
- How could universities or community groups encourage more hands-on reuse projects like this one in your area?
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