New EEG (electroencephalogram) design that allows for use outside of the lab. Usual EEG technology required wet conductors and shaved skin which required in-lab use and uncomfortable test subjects. Now, researchers can collect real-time brain activity data anywhere with the creation of a new wearable. (via Jacob School of Engineering)
In exciting and futuristic news, researchers from the Jacobs School of Engineering and Institute for Neural Computation at UC San Diego have developed an electroencephalogram (EEG) that has the potential to work outside the lab and without invasive procedures. The new design is a 64 channel ‘dry’ EEG, meaning that it can take accurate measurements of brain activity without needing the subjects’ scalp to be shaved and wet with a conductive paste. It also doesn't require any invasive surgeries as certain mind-controlled technologies require. Hence, the technology opens up exciting new avenues for research, real-time in real-world situations.
The researchers recently created a startup called, Cognionics, and hope to ‘take neuroimaging to the next level' by studying brain activity during daily activities (like driving) and by exploring futuristic applications including mind controlled smart phones, prosthetics, and neurological therapy. Their new technology has certainly caught the fancy of DARPA, who recently offered the team a contract to develop their EEG further.
The sensors on their EEG use a mixture of silver and carbon to read brain activity without adding noise to the signal. The signal can be contaminated by a participant’s hair rustling, by moving, by talking and in a number of other manners. However, this team created an algorithm to separate the noise from the important brainwave data. Their algorithm separates out noise in a similar way a producer can strip out the voice of a pop star to allow you to enjoy singing the hits in your own home. They compare the readings against other baseline noise readings to sift out the important frequencies. In a recent comparison study, they found that their new EEG design was just as accurate as current conventional methods.
The research team admits that utilizing this EEG technology for futuristic applications, like mind controlled cell phones, will probably take another decade to develop into something compact and viable enough for the consumer market. However, their next goals include using EEG technology to prompt the brain to rehabilitate itself. While they're still unsure of how this would go in practice, it's certain that this technology can gather useful data with real-world applications which they hope can limit the need for invasive, implanted technologies and prescription medication. It certainly also seems like an easily adapted technology for current mind controlled prosthetics that have been developed for the past decade.
Hopefully, the ease-of-use and lack of invasive practices due to this new EEG will allow researchers to innovate more quickly – at the very least. For now, we consumers will have to wait another decade for the next generation of mind controlled Internet of Things gadgets and gizmos. Perhaps this technology will give 'The Force' new definition as the next generation may be able to turn on lights and start their coffee maker with their minds.
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