With over 11 million disposable vapes sold per month, the impact of their e-waste, including discarding rechargeable lithium ion batteries, is outsized. To highlight the salvageable parts, and divert them into Open Source Hardware projects, we are developing two models of Vape Synthesizers roughly inspired by an ocarina. Both models make use of the original batteries, charging circuit with LED, and case. The novelty model keeps its original low pressure sensor, meaning you need to suck on the instrument to play, and has an onboard speaker to jam anywhere. The (forthcoming) MIDI Electronic Wind Controller model uses a wireless connection to your existing instruments or computer music programs with audio samples to act as an alternate input device. Digital fabrication plays a role in this project for making 3D printed or laser cut jigs. Part of the underlying ethos is to make an eco-friendly hardware choice also a joyful choice.

Made in collaboration with shuang cai and David Rios, who took on the team name of Paper Bag, since they always seem to store their work-in-progress in one.

Full Tutorial is available on Instructables