Neural helmets and their characteristics in non-invasive brain-computer interfaces based on electroencephalography signals

• Grant number: 23/15962-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Andre Ambrosio
• Grantee: Rafael Cunha Bejes Learth
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) based on electroencephalography (EEG) signal acquisition require the use of neural helmets constructed by placing sensors/electrodes on the scalp in specific spatial arrangements, such as the 10-20 System, with the aim of assessing neural activity in the cerebral cortex. The acquired EEG signals undergo (pre-)digital processing, followed by feature extraction and classification or regression to generate control signals for various applications in neuroengineering, rehabilitation engineering, gaming, entertainment, augmented or virtual reality, the metaverse, among others. In this project, we propose to study the general components that make up a BCI, followed by an investigation of the materials and components that constitute neural helmets. The purpose or objective is to identify the various types of sensors commonly used in such devices, as well as their advantages and disadvantages in terms of convenience, practicality, financial costs, and physical characteristics related to impedance matching with the skin. As a result, in addition to the desired training of human resources for future work in ongoing research projects in the advisor's research group, it is expected that by the end of this work, the scholarship recipient - currently in the 2nd year of their undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering - will be able to propose a low-cost neural helmet compared to those commercially available, which will be built and incorporated into a BCI that will control three-dimensional images generated by volumetric LED displays.