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Non-invasive on-skin sensors for brain machine interfaces with epitaxial graphene
Shaikh Nayeem Faisal1, Mojtaba Amjadipour1, Kimi Izzo1
1School of Electrical and Data Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
Journal of Neural Engineering
|December 7, 2021
Summary
Epitaxial graphene electrodes offer a sensitive, dry, and non-invasive method for detecting electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Surface conditioning in saline environments significantly reduces electrode impedance, enhancing performance for brain-machine interfaces.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) are crucial for developing advanced brain-controlled devices.
- Non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes are essential for acquiring neural signals.
- Current dry electrodes face challenges with skin contact impedance and robustness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of epitaxial graphene (EG) grown on silicon carbide on silicon for high-sensitivity EEG signal detection.
- To evaluate the performance of EG electrodes compared to commercial dry electrodes.
- To explore the phenomenon of surface conditioning in EG electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized epitaxial graphene (EG) grown on silicon carbide on silicon substrates.
- Benchmarked EG electrode skin contact impedance against commercial dry electrodes.
- Investigated the effect of prolonged skin contact and saline environments on EG electrode performance.
Main Results:
- EG electrodes demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting EEG signals.
- Achieved significantly improved skin contact impedance and robustness compared to commercial dry electrodes.
- Observed a novel surface conditioning phenomenon where EG electrodes reduced contact impedance by over three-fold due to water physisorption.
Conclusions:
- EG electrodes represent a promising dry, non-invasive technology for EEG acquisition.
- Surface conditioning enhances EG electrode performance, particularly in saline conditions.
- EG electrodes offer a robust and reliable solution for prolonged use in brain-machine interfaces.
