Kirlian Machine
The process that we’re trying to replicate is called Kirlian photography, or electrophotography, and it is a way to capture images by ionizing moisture particles in the air around an object. Or… by exciting its aura. Basically, what we need to build a high-voltage, high-frequency, low-amperage signal generator that we can use to ionize stuff and take their pictures.
What we need is: a super high potential difference between two electrodes, like… 20,000 volts. What we’d like to have is: for this super high voltage to be accompanied by super low current, so we don’t kill anyone or anything.
We could just use a neon sign transformer, or build our own high-voltage signal circuit using an automotive ignition coil.
We're gonna build our own...
What we need is: a super high potential difference between two electrodes, like… 20,000 volts. What we’d like to have is: for this super high voltage to be accompanied by super low current, so we don’t kill anyone or anything.
We could just use a neon sign transformer, or build our own high-voltage signal circuit using an automotive ignition coil.
We're gonna build our own...
Fast and Cheap Sparks
The first circuit we built was based on this schematic, that we found here, along with an explanation of how/why it works.
Materials needed:
x1 light switch dimmer
x1 ignition coil from a car
x1 1uF 220V electrolytic capacitor
This worked pretty well, and we made some fun sparks with it, but since the signal is more or less coming straight from the wall, its current is still pretty high, and it does not feel nice to touch the high-voltage wires. It would be pretty hard (and painful) to use this to take electro-pictures of living things.
Materials needed:
x1 light switch dimmer
x1 ignition coil from a car
x1 1uF 220V electrolytic capacitor
This worked pretty well, and we made some fun sparks with it, but since the signal is more or less coming straight from the wall, its current is still pretty high, and it does not feel nice to touch the high-voltage wires. It would be pretty hard (and painful) to use this to take electro-pictures of living things.
Second Circuit: Control and Finesse
What is missing from the previous circuit is some current-limiting components (resistor and a fuse), and a way to flicker the transformer on and off at higher frequencies. Both of these things should contribute to a less painful and dangerous aura-imaging experience.
Here’s the circuit diagram for the final version of our Kirlian Machine. It is based on a circuit designed by some people in the 80s, and it uses an astable 555 timer to control the frequency at which the coil turns on and off.
You'll need...
x1 ignition coil from a car
x1 W06G rectifier
x1 1kohm, 20watts resistor
x1 500 mA fuse and fuse box
x1 680nF, 250V capacitor
x1 TIC126 thyristor
x2 10nF capacitor
x1 100 nF capacitor
x1 100 ohm resistor
x2 2.2kohm resistor
x1 100kohm potentiometer
x1 555 IC
Here’s the circuit diagram for the final version of our Kirlian Machine. It is based on a circuit designed by some people in the 80s, and it uses an astable 555 timer to control the frequency at which the coil turns on and off.
You'll need...
x1 ignition coil from a car
x1 W06G rectifier
x1 1kohm, 20watts resistor
x1 500 mA fuse and fuse box
x1 680nF, 250V capacitor
x1 TIC126 thyristor
x2 10nF capacitor
x1 100 nF capacitor
x1 100 ohm resistor
x2 2.2kohm resistor
x1 100kohm potentiometer
x1 555 IC
Here’s a picture of the circuit on a board. That huge white ceramic rectangle is the 20-watt resistor, and that big yellow thing to the right is the ignition coil.
Now we can take pictures of our hands and fingers and other body parts.
Now we can take pictures of our hands and fingers and other body parts.