Student project: Transcranial current stimulation using dry electrodes
What you will do
The aim of the project is to explore ways of how transcranial current stimulation (tCS) system can be realized using dry electrode to skin contact. Due the higher dry electrode contact impedance, the envisioned solution should introduce new ways of delivering currents such that they are safe but also that they produce current densities relevant for clinical applications. The candidate will have access to latest imec’s developments, such as digital active electrode (DAE) setups. Using those to create and test various setups is an integral part of the assignment.
Current (clinical) tCS solutions use simple electronics but rely on large sponge or rubber patches (surface area larger than 25cm2) filled with saline solution or conductive gel. This makes them inconvenient and uncomfortable for clinical use. Also, these systems cannot be used by a naive user at home. To overcome deficiencies of such solutions, alternative ways have to be explored that do not require saline/gel to make a contact. Dry electrodes provide one alternative, but much higher contact impedance (i.e., few MΩ compared to few kΩ at DC). Hence, careful considerations are required when making dry electrode tCS solution.
Few dry electrode tCS concepts are currently being developed at imec. The candidate will have the opportunity to build upon those solutions and know-how as well as to propose and explore new ways or realizing tCS solutions. To facilitate exploration, a few setups that enable current delivery will be made available. Depending on the maturity of the exploration, development of an early prototype could also be realized within the project. The work could also lead to an impactful publication.
- Explore available conceptual solutions for dry electrode tCS at imec.
- Understand digital active electrode architecture and how it can be used for tCS.
- Design several solutions to facilitate dry electrode tCS.
- Develop several setups to test proposed dry electrode tCS solutions.
- Develop an early functional prototype for tCS (depending on previous evaluation and feasibility).
- Write a report or a paper summarizing the work.