Novel biosensors set to revolutionize brain-controlled robotics

Date:
December 22, 2021
Source:
University of Technology Sydney
Summary:
A novel carbon-based biosensor is set to drive new innovations
in brain- controlled robotics. The biosensor adheres to the skin
of the face and head in order to detect electrical signals being
sent by the brain. These signals can be translated into commands to
control autonomous robotic systems. The sensor, made of epitaxial
graphene grown onto a silicon carbide on silicon substrate,
overcomes three major challenges of graphene-based biosensing:
corrosion, durability and skin-contact resistance.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A novel carbon-based biosensor developed at the University of Technology
Sydney (UTS) is set to drive new innovations in brain-controlled robotics.


========================================================================== Developed by Professor Francesca Iacopi and her team in the UTS Faculty
of Engineering and IT, the biosensor adheres to the skin of the face and
head in order to detect electrical signals being sent by the brain. These signals can then be translated into commands to control autonomous
robotic systems.

A study of the biosensor is published in the Journal of Neural Engineering
this month.

The sensor is made of epitaxial graphene -- essentially multiple layers of
very thin, very strong carbon -- grown directly onto a silicon carbide
on silicon substrate. The result is a highly scalable novel sensing
technology that overcomes three major challenges of graphene-based
biosensing: corrosion, durability and skin-contact resistance.

"We've been able to combine the best of graphene, which is very
biocompatible, very conductive, with the best of silicon technology,
which makes our biosensor very resilient and robust to use," says
Professor Iacopi.

Graphene is a nanomaterial used frequently in the development of
biosensors.

However, to date, many of these products have been developed as single-use applications and are prone to delamination as a result of coming into
contact with sweat and other forms of moisture on the skin.



==========================================================================
By contrast, the UTS biosensor can be used for prolonged periods
and re-used multiple times, even in highly saline environments -- an unprecedented result.

Further, the sensor has been shown to dramatically reduce what's known
as skin contact resistance, where non-optimal contact between the sensor
and skin impedes the detection of electrical signals from the brain.

"With our sensor, the contact resistance improves when the sensor sits
on the skin," Professor Iacopi says.

"Over time, we were able to achieve a reduction of more than 75 per cent
of the initial contact resistance.

"This means the electric signals being sent by the brain can be reliably collected and then significantly amplified, and that the sensors can also
be used reliably in harsh conditions, thereby enhancing their potential
for use in brain-machine interfaces." The research forms part of a larger collaboration to investigate how brainwaves can be used to command and
control autonomous vehicles. The work is a partnership between Professor Iacopi, who is internationally acclaimed for her work in nanotechnology
and electronic materials, and UTS Distinguished Professor Chin-Teng Lin,
a leading researcher in brain-computer interfaces.

It is funded by $1.2 million from the Defence Innovation Hub.

If successful, the research will produce miniaturised, customised
graphene- based sensors that have the potential for application in
defence environments and beyond.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Technology_Sydney. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Shaikh Faisal, Mojtaba Amjadipour, Kimi Izzo, James Singer,
Avi Bendavid,
Chin-Teng Lin, Francesca Iacopi. Non-invasive on-skin sensors for
brain machine interfaces with epitaxial graphene. Journal of Neural
Engineering, 2021; DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac4085 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222100804.htm

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