The Problem

Scientists try to intrude as little as possible in an animal’s daily activities when they study their brain activity.  Ideally, the animal would have free range of motion but that is easier said than done while attached to an EEG. A device is needed to measure faint signals while the animal is freely moving in their habitat.

The Solution

I was asked by Hypnion Inc. to help solve this problem. My team and I produced an ultra-low friction commutator achieving the signal requirements, while significantly reducing the disturbance to the small creatures.  Consequently, our team designed and built a prototype that was manufactured in the hundreds.