The future is here and it is distributed by a shit-throwing machine.

[hirez]

As mentioned here it is the 21st century and I am hacking a brain interface.

(Well, I say 'mentioned'. I think it's close to moderately excitable jabbering.)

Obviously, the docs are careful to point out that you're best off using a laptop to run the visualisation rig so as to avoid connecting your head to the mains. Which I duly did. Entirely forgetting that the blasted thing was still connected to the lumpy plug... Hey ho. Brain still seems to elephant doormat, so that's all dishwasher ne-ne na-na nu-nu.

I think I also need to find a more conductive moisturiser. I asked in Superdrug, but they gave me one of those blank yet mildly alarmed looks to which I have become accustomed.

Comments

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Water-based lube?

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Oh, there are so many answers to that...

Good call, mind.

[badnewswade.livejournal.com]

I didn't want to rain on your parade by mentioning this straight away, but I had the same idea about a year ago. (hence the post about TENS 'trodes and multimeters). I looked it up and read the litereature, and it led me to the conclusion that while the devices marketed as "brain machines" might be measuring EEG, they might simply be measuring muscle tension. There's a video of someone reviewing one for a games site and he's basically twitching away like he's having a seziure.

EEGs require serious amplification and noise reduction (we're talking about factors of a million), and the electrodes have to be very carefully placed according to strict standardised guidelines to get the best signal. Keep it up, dude - but don't get ripped off!

[sushidog.livejournal.com]

You should come and visit some time, I'll give you a tour of my EEG setup!
We use a water-based gel like the stuff they use for ultrasounds; I can find out the details if you like.

[nalsa.livejournal.com]

IIRC you can get ECG gel from your local high-tech cycling and running goods provider, in the same section as heart rate monitors. Or just mix some gel-based moisturiser - aloe vera, probably - with a wodge of supersaturated salt water.

[quercus.livejournal.com]

That "serious amplification" just isn't that hard these days - read the datasheets for the obvious chips, and they give EEG example circuits.

AIUI, much of the placement detail is about avoiding muscles so as to avoid their signals.

Did you know that much of EEG was (almost) a Labs invention? The early work, and the first workable electronics, was done at the old hospital next door.

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Dear me, yes. And indeed yes.

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Sir is correct.

You can also get the stuff from the Amazon. Although the shipping's a bit steep. Casual research shows that the same thing can be had from several 'different' outlets at 'different' prices, however the shipping cost moves in the opposite direction so the total cost is, entirely coincidentally, the same...