This project brings the spectacle of a thunderstorm to life through an interactive light art installation that reacts to sound. Using a WS2812B LED strip controlled by an Arduino Nano, the system listens for loud noises via a microphone module, responding instantly with bursts of light that mimic the unpredictable beauty of lightning strikes. Each flash is uniquely generated, varying in brightness and timing to create an organic, storm-like effect that feels alive and immersive. The installation seamlessly blends technology with nature’s drama, inviting viewers to experience the raw power of a thunderstorm indoors. By transforming sound into vivid light, this project aims to captivate audiences, demonstrating how simple electronics can deliver an engaging and sensory-rich encounter.

Progress and Challenges

This project was not only an opportunity for me to challenge myself creatively but also to test my electrical engineering abilities. My field of study, Science, Technology, and Policy, includes a technical concentration, and ECE was my focus. My decision to create a project structured around a circuit was to prove to myself that I have proficiency in electrical engineering despite not having a major or even minor in it. I had never attempted a solo project like this. I was unsure whether I would have the knowledge to prototype and, most importantly, troubleshoot this circuit required for the reactive thundercloud and the coding needed for the microphone input.

I started with the electrical component of my project as I knew it would take the most time. There were several stages at which I faced challenges that I was not immediately sure how to overcome. The first of which was making sure that the power requirements of all my components would be met. I first assumed I could power everything from the microcontroller I was using. If I had more experience, I would likely have realized that the board’s very low current limit would not satisfy the requirement for the LED strip. As a result, I had to figure out how to integrate a separate power source into my circuit, which I eventually did using a battery bank. The second challenge I faced was the low quality of my components. My breadboard was from a previous class and was starting to separate from the baseboard, causing connections to fail. It took me a while to realize this was the issue, and I spent hours troubleshooting any other cause of my circuit not working. Eventually, I realized the issue and obtained a better breadboard. The final challenge for the technical side of my project was in the coding. I have never considered myself adept in this area, so I turned to chatGPT for assistance. Although the code it generated was a good starting point, it was a task to fine-tune it so that the lights flashed like lightning and the microphone’s threshold was correct. With more prior experience, I may have avoided many of these challenges by knowing what to look out for before I encountered them. However, I consider my final project a resounding success, as it performed almost exactly as I had envisioned. When everything finally came together, it was incredibly satisfying and validating for me. This was a wonderful learning experience, and despite my less intense technical background, I was able to create a functioning electronic art project.

Parts

Circuit

• Arduino Nano Every
• WS2812B LED Strip
• Microphone Module
• Breadboard
• Portable battery bank

Cloud

• Fishing line (for hanging)
• Wire (for frame)
• Polyfill
• Hot glue