OVERCOMING THE LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL EEG ACQUISITION

THROUGH THE USE OF CAPACITIVE ELECTRODES

Anthony J. Portelli and Slawomir J. Nasuto

CIRG, School of Systems engineering, University of Reading, RG6 6AY
Siu05ajp@reading.ac.uk

Abstract - This paper describes the design of a Data Acquisition
(DAQ) system in the form of a single channel capacitive
Electroencephalograph (EEG) sensor suite comprising hardware
and software modules. Through the use of Titanium Oxide (TiO2)
coated Stainless steel discs, it has been possible to detect human
bio-potentials without charge contact thus eliminating any
potential safety risks involved with the use of bio-potential signal
measurement. In this paper the capacitive interface has been
successfully demonstrated. Further development will assess the
quality of signals from within the human body obtained using the
capacitive electrodes.
I. INTRODUCTION
One of the important tools the Electroencephalogram
(EEG) is used in the identification and characterisation
of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and
encephalitis.
However traditionally used resistive electrodes
require a good electrical interface, mediated by the
application of an electrolytic gel. This converts ionic
current flow in the skins surface, into an electron flow
which can then be detected by an electronic amplifier
[1].
Additionally before this gel is applied the subject’s
skin is normally abraded at the relevant sites to reduce
skin impedances, a painful procedure if repeated, making
preparation an inconvenient and lengthy process. The gel
used also suffers from viscosity changes when in contact
with the heat of the human body and dries out with
exposure to air. These problems cause artefacts and can
alter the results of the EEG. One of the implications this
has is the restriction on recording time.
Capacitive sensors are not the only proposed
solution, alternate sensors for the recording of bio-
potentials include resistive Active electrodes [2] and
Super-conducting Quantum Interference Devices
(SQUID) magnetometers [3].
II. CONCEPT
Capacitive electrodes do not require real charge
contact with the skin in order to detect bio-potentials [4]
making them inherently safe. These electrodes detect
bio-potential signals via the variation of charge between
the skin and a conducting plate placed in close
proximity.
whether or not a material performs without ill or toxic
effect in a specific setting, in this case external contact
with a subject’s skin. Stainless steel was chosen as the
electrode plate conductor. Grade 304 (the most common
grade of stainless steel) was utilised as the plate material.
It was chosen due to its bio-compatibility, wide usage,
low cost and favourable conductivity when compared
against other materials. To achieve the capacitive effect
the discs had to be coated with a dielectric. Titanium
Oxide (TiO2) was chosen as the dielectric as it would not
only be resistant to corrosion in contact with sweat but
also provide acceptable electro-chemical properties [5].
(1)
Formula 1 shows a capacitor model formula, where C
is the capacitance, εr is the relative static permittivity
constant of insulating dielectric, ε0 is the permittivity of
free space, A is the surface area of the plates and d is the
distance of separation of the plates. This formula can be
used to estimate the amount of capacitive coupling
present between a subject’s skin and an electrode.
A 1µm layer of Titanium Oxide with a 100ηm
adhesion layer of Titanium was selected to allow a
sufficiently thick layer to withstand intense use and
provide a strong capacitive coupling. Using the capacitor
model, equation 1, the approximate amount of capacitive
coupling that could be achieve by an electrode of
diameter 1cm.
= 79.2nF (2)
Other calculated capacitive couplings are much smaller
than for these electrodes [6]. This would indicate that the
TiO2 coated electrodes would perform with an increased
signal to noise ratio.
IV. RESULTS
Electrodes of 6cm diameter have been tested for
capacitive coupling. Figure 1 shows the effect of a
subject coming into contact with one and then both of
the electrodes. As is visible touching one electrode
(period between samples 3000 – 5800) the amplitude
rises to approximately 0.5V with a visible higher
frequency component.

III. SENSOR HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATION

A common problem with the selection of electrode

material remains the issue of bio-compatibility, which is

Voltage (V)
Contact with Contact with
one electrode both electrodes
Time (S)
Figure 1. Ten seconds of recorded data
After Fourier transforming the result is shown in
figure 2 to be 50Hz line noise as expected. When both
electrodes are touched the amplitude decreases to -2V
and the frequency component previously visible is
removed. This illustrates the effect of the high
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio of the instrumentation
operational amplifier used.
Gain(Db)
Gain (Db)
Frequency (Hz)
Figure 2. Power Frequency Spectrum (a) 50Hz Line
noise component present (b) Line noise component
Voltage (V)
Time(s)
Figure 3. Oscillations displayed when a coupling
element is moved in between two electrodes
Figure 3 shows amplitude variations when the subject
is no longer in contact with either electrode but rather
moves their hand forward and back in between the two
electrodes. The presence of Line noise present after a
subject coming into contact with one of the electrodes
proves the capacitive coupling, as with the amplitude
variations present when a subject’s hand is moving in
between two electrodes.
V. CONCLUSION AND FUTHER WORK
In the future work will be concentrated on the increase in
the signal to noise ratio of the detected signals as well as
reduction of the noise floor.
The power consumption of the systems requires
improvements as it is too high for battery operation. In
addition, at present the hardware requires both a USB
port and a Serial port (for power and data transfer).
Extension to the full speed USB protocol was
implemented it would be both more efficient and would
allow for the addition of more channels.
Acknowledgement: The author would like to thank Paul
Minchinton for his good natured but unwavering
cynicism even in face of tangible results. The author
would also like to extend his thanks to the New Scotland
University Thin Film Centre Specifically Professor
Frank Placido.
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