Robust, self-adhesive, reinforced polymeric nanofilms enabling gas-permeable dry electrodes for long-term application

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (38) ◽  
pp. e2111904118
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Sunghoon Lee ◽  
Haoyang Wang ◽  
Zhi Jiang ◽  
Yasutoshi Jimbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Skin ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Electrocardiogram Signals ◽  
Dry Electrodes ◽  
Dry Electrode ◽  
Soft Electronics ◽  
Adhesive Materials

Robust polymeric nanofilms can be used to construct gas-permeable soft electronics that can directly adhere to soft biological tissue for continuous, long-term biosignal monitoring. However, it is challenging to fabricate gas-permeable dry electrodes that can self-adhere to the human skin and retain their functionality for long-term (>1 d) health monitoring. We have succeeded in developing an extraordinarily robust, self-adhesive, gas-permeable nanofilm with a thickness of only 95 nm. It exhibits an extremely high skin adhesion energy per unit area of 159 μJ/cm2. The nanofilm can self-adhere to the human skin by van der Waals forces alone, for 1 wk, without any adhesive materials or tapes. The nanofilm is ultradurable, and it can support liquids that are 79,000 times heavier than its own weight with a tensile stress of 7.82 MPa. The advantageous features of its thinness, self-adhesiveness, and robustness enable a gas-permeable dry electrode comprising of a nanofilm and an Au layer, resulting in a continuous monitoring of electrocardiogram signals with a high signal-to-noise ratio (34 dB) for 1 wk.

A compact guided-wave EMAT with pulsed electromagnet for ferromagnetic tube inspection

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 951-958
Author(s):  
Tianhao Liu ◽  
Yu Jin ◽  
Cuixiang Pei ◽  
Jie Han ◽  
Zhenmao Chen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Receiver Coil ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Corrosion Defects

Small-diameter tubes that are widely used in petroleum industries and power plants experience corrosion during long-term services. In this paper, a compact inserted guided-wave EMAT with a pulsed electromagnet is proposed for small-diameter tube inspection. The proposed transducer is noncontact, compact with high signal-to-noise ratio and unattractive to ferromagnetic tubes. The proposed EMAT is designed with coils-only configuration, which consists of a pulsed electromagnet and a meander pulser/receiver coil. Both the numerical simulation and experimental results validate its feasibility on generating and receiving L(0,2) mode guided wave. The parameters for driving the proposed EMAT are optimized by performance testing. Finally, feasibility on quantification evaluation for corrosion defects was verified by experiments.

scholarly journals A Long-Term, Portable ECG Patch Monitor Based on Flexible Dry Electrode

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Chu ◽  
Chenxi Yang ◽  
Yantao Xing ◽  
Jianqing Li ◽  
Chengyu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Electrode Impedance ◽  
Ecg Monitoring ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Ecg Signals ◽  
Skin Electrode ◽  
Rr Interval ◽  
Dry Electrodes ◽  
Dry Electrode ◽  
And Storage

Abstract PurposeLong-term electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is an essential approach for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Flexible dry electrodes that contains electrolyte without water could be a potential substitution of wet electrodes for long-term ECG monitoring. Therefore, this paper developes a long-term, portable ECG patch based on flexible dry electrodes, namely SEUECG-100.MethodA device consists of analog-front-end acquisition, data acquisition, and storage modules is developed and tested. An impedance test was conducted to compare the skin-electrode impedance of the flexible dry electrode and the Ag/AgCl wet electrode. The ECG signals were simutanously collected from the same subject using the SEUECG-100 and Shimmer device , which were then compared and analyzed from the perspective of ECG morphology, RR interval, and signal quality indices (SQI).ResultsThe experimental results reveal that the flexible dry electrode has the characteristics of low skin-electrode impedance. SEUECG-100 could collect high-quality ECG signals. The ECG signals collected by the two devices have a high RR interval correlation (r=0.999). SQI results show that SEUECG-100 is better than the Shimmer device in overcoming baseline drift. Long-term ECG acquisition and storage experiments show that SEUECG-100 could collect ECG signals with good stability and high reliability.ConclusionThe implementation of the proposed system design with dry electrodes could can effectively record long-term ECG monitoring with high quality in comparison to systems with wet electrodes from both impedance characteristics and signal morphology aspects.

scholarly journals Long-term in-vivo recording performance of flexible penetrating microelectrode arrays

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 066018
Author(s):  
Jae-Won Jang ◽  
Yoo Na Kang ◽  
Hee Won Seo ◽  
Boil Kim ◽  
Han Kyoung Choe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Microelectrode Arrays ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Robotic Arms ◽  
Single Neuron Recording ◽  
Tissue Reactions ◽  
Physical Degradation ◽  
Silicon Based

Abstract Objective. Neural interfaces are an essential tool to enable the human body to directly communicate with machines such as computers or prosthetic robotic arms. Since invasive electrodes can be located closer to target neurons, they have advantages such as precision in stimulation and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in recording, while they often exhibit unstable performance in long-term in-vivo implantation because of the tissue damage caused by the electrodes insertion. In the present study, we investigated the electrical functionality of flexible penetrating microelectrode arrays (FPMAs) up to 3 months in in-vivo conditions. Approach. The in-vivo experiment was performed by implanting FPMAs in five rats. The in-vivo impedance as well as the action potential (AP) amplitude and SNR were analyzed over weeks. Additionally, APs were tracked over time to investigate the possibility of single neuron recording. Main results. It was observed that the FPMAs exhibited dramatic increases in impedance for the first 4 weeks after implantation, accompanied by decreases in AP amplitude. However, the increase/decrease in AP amplitude was always accompanied by the increase/decrease in background noise, resulting in quite consistently maintained SNRs. After 4 weeks of implantation, we observed two distinctive issues regarding long-term implantation, each caused by chronic tissue responses or by the delamination of insulation layer. The results demonstrate that the FPMAs successfully recorded neuronal signals up to 12 weeks, with very stably maintained SNRs, reduced by only 16.1% on average compared to the first recordings, although biological tissue reactions or physical degradation of the FPMA were present. Significance. The fabricated FPMAs successfully recorded intracortical signals for 3 months. The SNR was maintained up to 3 months and the chronic function of FPMA was comparable with other silicon based implantable electrodes.

scholarly journals Validating Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) Polystyrene Sulfonate-Based Textile Electroencephalography Electrodes by a Textile-Based Head Phantom

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3629
Author(s):  
Granch Berhe Tseghai ◽  
Benny Malengier ◽  
Kinde Anlay Fante ◽  
Lieva Van Langenhove
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Electrode Impedance ◽  
Polystyrene Sulfonate ◽  
Dry Electrodes ◽  
Dry Electrode ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Spectral Perturbation ◽  
Coated Cotton

It is important to go through a validation process when developing new electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes, but it is impossible to keep the human mind constant, making the process difficult. It is also very difficult to identify noise and signals as the input signal is unknown. In this work, we have validated textile-based EEG electrodes constructed from a poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate:/polydimethylsiloxane coated cotton fabric using a textile-based head phantom. The performance of the textile-based electrode has also been compared against a commercial dry electrode. The textile electrodes collected a signal to a smaller skin-to-electrode impedance (−18.9%) and a higher signal-to-noise ratio (+3.45%) than Ag/AgCl dry electrodes. From an EEGLAB, it was observed that the inter-trial coherence and event-related spectral perturbation graphs of the textile-based electrodes were identical to the Ag/AgCl electrodes. Thus, these textile-based electrodes can be a potential alternative to monitor brain activity.

scholarly journals Flexible Multi-Layer Semi-Dry Electrode for Scalp EEG Measurements at Hairy Sites

Micromachines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haoqiang Hua ◽  
Wei Tang ◽  
Xiangmin Xu ◽  
David Dagan Feng ◽  
Lin Shu
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Correlation ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Eeg Monitoring ◽  
Foam Layer ◽  
Contact Impedance ◽  
Lower Electrode ◽  
Scalp Eeg ◽  
Dry Electrodes ◽  
Dry Electrode

One of the major challenges of daily wearable electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring is that there are rarely suitable EEG electrodes for hairy sites. Wet electrodes require conductive gels, which will dry over the acquisition time, making them unstable for long-term EEG monitoring. Additionally, the electrode–scalp impedances of most dry electrodes are not adequate for high quality EEG collection at hairy sites. In view of the above problems, a flexible multi-layer semi-dry electrode was proposed for EEG monitoring in this study. The semi-dry electrode contains a flexible electrode body layer, foam layer and reservoir layer. The probe structure of the electrode body layer enables the electrode to work effectively at hairy sites. During long-term EEG monitoring, electrolytes stored in the reservoir layer are continuously released through the foam layer to the electrode–scalp interface, ensuring a lower electrode–scalp contact impedance. The experimental results showed that the average electrode–scalp impedance of the semi-dry electrode at a hairy site was only 23.89 ± 7.44 KΩ at 10 Hz, and it was lower than 40 KΩ over a long-term use of 5 h. The electrode performed well in both static and dynamic EEG monitoring, where the temporal correlation with wet electrode signals at the hairy site could reach 94.25% and 90.65%, respectively, and specific evoked EEG signals could be collected. The flexible multi-layer semi-dry electrode can be well applied to scalp EEG monitoring at hairy sites, providing a promising solution for daily long-term monitoring of wearable EEGs.

scholarly journals Fully organic compliant dry electrodes self-adhesive to skin for long-term motion-robust epidermal biopotential monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Kirthika Senthil Kumar ◽  
Hao He ◽  
Catherine Jiayi Cai ◽  
Xu He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Movement ◽  
Deep Tendon Reflex ◽  
Conductive Polymer ◽  
Motion Artifacts ◽  
Contact Impedance ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Dry Electrodes ◽  
Tendon Reflex ◽  
Dry Electrode

Abstract Wearable dry electrodes are needed for long-term biopotential recordings but are limited by their imperfect compliance with the skin, especially during body movements and sweat secretions, resulting in high interfacial impedance and motion artifacts. Herein, we report an intrinsically conductive polymer dry electrode with excellent self-adhesiveness, stretchability, and conductivity. It shows much lower skin-contact impedance and noise in static and dynamic measurement than the current dry electrodes and standard gel electrodes, enabling to acquire high-quality electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals in various conditions such as dry and wet skin and during body movement. Hence, this dry electrode can be used for long-term healthcare monitoring in complex daily conditions. We further investigated the capabilities of this electrode in a clinical setting and realized its ability to detect the arrhythmia features of atrial fibrillation accurately, and quantify muscle activity during deep tendon reflex testing and contraction against resistance.

Monitoring solar activity with PEPSI

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (A30) ◽  
pp. 351-353
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Dineva ◽  
Carsten Denker ◽  
Klaus G. Strassmeier ◽  
Ilya Ilyin ◽  
Alexei A. Pevtsov
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Solar Rotation ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Solar Observatory ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
High Signal ◽  
The Sun ◽  
National Solar Observatory

AbstractSynoptic Sun-as-a-star observations are carried out with the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument (PEPSI), which receives light from the Solar Disk-Integration (SDI) telescope. Daily spectra are produced with a high signal-to-noise ratio, providing access to unprecedented quasi-continuous, long-term, disk-integrated spectra of the Sun with high spectral and temporal resolution. We developed tools to monitor and study solar activity on different time-scales ranging from daily changes, over periods related to solar rotation, to annual and decadal trends. Strong chromospheric absorption lines, such as the Ca ii H & K λ3934 & 3968 Å lines, are powerful diagnostic tools for solar activity studies, since they trace the variations of the solar magnetic field. Other lines, such as Hα λ6563 Å line and the near-infrared (NIR) Ca ii λ8542 Å line, provide additional information on the physical properties in this highly complex and dynamic atmospheric layer. Currently, we work on a data pipeline for extraction, calibration, and analysis of the PEPSI/SDI data. We compare the SDI data with daily spectra from the Integrated Sunlight Spectrometer (ISS), which is part of the Synoptic Long-Term Investigation of the Sun (SOLIS) facility operated by the U.S. National Solar Observatory (NSO). This facilitates cross-calibration and validation of the SDI data.

scholarly journals All-nanofiber–based, ultrasensitive, gas-permeable mechanoacoustic sensors for continuous long-term heart monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (13) ◽  
pp. 7063-7070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Osman Goni Nayeem ◽  
Sunghoon Lee ◽  
Hanbit Jin ◽  
Naoji Matsuhisa ◽  
Hiroaki Jinno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Frequency Region ◽  
Sound Waves ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Heart Monitoring

The prolonged and continuous monitoring of mechanoacoustic heart signals is essential for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. These bodily acoustics have low intensity and low frequency, and measuring them continuously for long periods requires ultrasensitive, lightweight, gas-permeable mechanoacoustic sensors. Here, we present an all-nanofiber mechanoacoustic sensor, which exhibits a sensitivity as high as 10,050.6 mV Pa−1 in the low-frequency region (<500 Hz). The high sensitivity is achieved by the use of durable and ultrathin (2.5 µm) nanofiber electrode layers enabling a large vibration of the sensor during the application of sound waves. The sensor is ultralightweight, and the overall weight is as small as 5 mg or less. The devices are mechanically robust against bending, and show no degradation in performance even after 1,000-cycle bending. Finally, we demonstrate a continuous long-term (10 h) measurement of heart signals with a signal-to-noise ratio as high as 40.9 decibels (dB).

scholarly journals Investigation of Electromagnetic Angle Sensor Integrated in FR4-Based Scanning Micromirror

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Wen ◽  
Hongjie Lei ◽  
Fan Yu ◽  
Dongling Li ◽  
Yin She ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Closed Loop ◽  
Coupling Effect ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Temperature Stability ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Closed Loop Control ◽  
Angle Sensor ◽  
Loop Control ◽  
Long Term Stability

This paper performs a detailed investigation on the electromagnetic angle sensor integrated in the flame retardant 4 (FR4)-based scanning micromirror. An accurate theoretical model is presented, especially considering the coupling effect between the driving and sensing coils. Experimental results agree well with the theoretical results, and show a sensitivity of 55.0 mVp/° and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 71.9 dB. Moreover, the linearity of the angle sensor can still reach 0.9995, though it is affected slightly by the coupling effect. Finally, the sensor’s good feasibility for feedback control has been further verified through a simple closed-loop control circuit. The micromirror operated with closed-loop control possesses better long-term stability and temperature stability than that operated without closed-loop control.

Application of Novel Low Current OBIRCH Amplifier and Nanoprobing to Identify Subtle Leakages in Advanced Node Technologies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kodali ◽  
Liangshan Chen ◽  
Yuting Wei ◽  
Tanya Schaeffer ◽  
Chong Khiam Oh
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Semiconductor Industry ◽  
Fault Isolation ◽  
Ring Oscillator ◽  
High Signal ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Resistance Change ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Relative Threshold ◽  
First Time

Abstract Optical beam induced resistance change (OBIRCH) is a very well-adapted technique for static fault isolation in the semiconductor industry. Novel low current OBIRCH amplifier is used to facilitate safe test condition requirements for advanced nodes. This paper shows the differences between the earlier and novel generation OBIRCH amplifiers. Ring oscillator high standby leakage samples are analyzed using the novel generation amplifier. High signal to noise ratio at applied low bias and current levels on device under test are shown on various samples. Further, a metric to demonstrate the SNR to device performance is also discussed. OBIRCH analysis is performed on all the three samples for nanoprobing of, and physical characterization on, the leakage. The resulting spots were calibrated and classified. It is noted that the calibration metric can be successfully used for the first time to estimate the relative threshold voltage of individual transistors in advanced process nodes.

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