Award Abstract #0847752
SGER: Wireless EEG Brain Interface for Extended Interactive Learning

NSF Org:	SBE Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences
Initial Amendment Date:	September 22, 2008
Latest Amendment Date:	September 22, 2008
Award Number:	0847752
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Soo-Siang Lim SBE Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences SBE Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences
Start Date:	October 1, 2008
Expires:	September 30, 2010 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$200000
Investigator(s):	Gert Cauwenberghs gert@ucsd.edu (Principal Investigator) Terrence Sejnowski (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of California-San Diego Office of Contract & Grant Admin La Jolla, CA 92093 858/534-0246
NSF Program(s):	SLC ACTIVITIES
Field Application(s):	0116000 Human Subjects
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	7704

ABSTRACT



Proposal #0847752

PI- Gert Cauwenberghs

ABSTRACT

This exploratory research project aims to observe and augment the learning experiences of children through non-intrusive acquisition, on-line analysis and interpretation of their brain dynamics. Current systems for recording high-resolution encephalogram (EEG) dynamical brain activity are not suitable for this purpose because they distract the children and constrain their mobility by excessive wiring between electrodes and computer. Existing methods are also not useful because of unreliable contact between electrodes and scalp during body motion. This two-year project specifically entails the design and implementation of a low-weight wearable, wireless EEG recording system with 128 embedded non-contact electrodes. This will include supporting software for real-time analysis and display of brain dynamics on a host computer. The research will give rise to new methods for non-intrusive acquisition and on-line interpretation of brain dynamics, and open up new research directions not possible using existing methods. The project supports inter-disciplinary graduate research combining biophysics of EEG, engineering of non-contact and wireless sensors, independent component analysis, cognitive neuroscience, and the temporal dynamics of learning.

Outcomes of this research will contribute to the broader understanding of brain function at a level combining cognitive neuroscience and social dynamics. A diverse and interdisciplinary body of students at the NSF Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center (TDLC) and the Institute of Neural Computation at UCSD will take part in applying the instrumentation to learning research in the biological, cognitive and social sciences. The wireless EEG infra-structure also significantly enhances the mobility of EEG recording in existing motion-capture facilities at TDLC, allowing the study of learning in dynamic environments with freely interacting subjects. The project will further benefit from outreach channels supported by the TDLC, including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Hughes Scholar Program (HSP), and the Preuss High School at UCSD.

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