Food Metal Detector 

My creative switch project came in the form of tongs that serve as a ‘food metal detector.’ Based on a terrifying experience of finding a staple in a tub of rice, I was inspired to create a device that would allow users to detect any potentially harmful (metal) objects in their store-bought or even homemade food. It is extremely important to know what is exactly in your food, which is where this device may come in handy. 

Prototype: 

The main device is in the form of tongs. Attached to the tongs would be a string of alligator clips that connect the 2 LED lights and the battery pack. Below image is the battery pack connected to the LED lights. 

The tongs (primary device) 

LED light connected by alligator clips 

For the prototype, I used a plastic plate with a sheet of copper taffeta, representing food. Because the taffeta is conductive, it demonstrated how the LED lights would instantly light up upon contact with the tongs, indicating that the food (taffeta) is contaminated with metallic objects.