Electrical biosignal measurement methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), are frequently used in clinical practice and are becoming increasingly popular for mobile self-monitoring. In neonatal care, for example, where there is a high risk of death or developmental disorders, EEG is the only non-invasive method offering high temporal and spatial resolution for long-term monitoring. However, using electrodes can lead to skin irritation. If it were possible to record biosignals with sufficient quality via electrical field measurement instead of voltage detection, this would represent an innovative advance in biosignal recording. Integration into clothing or cushions would be possible without direct skin contact. The latest developments in fibre optic sensor technology and 3D printing of piezoelectric materials enable a new principle for recording electric fields: a sensor technology with many applications, particularly for EEG in newborns.
The project aims to develop novel fibre-optic strain sensors with the ability to measure even the smallest electric fields with extreme sensitivity. These sensors will be used for contactless EEG and other biosignal measurement.
To achieve this, specially designed, 3D-printed sensor structures will be integrated into sensor fibres that utilise the reverse piezoelectric effect. The smallest electrical fields will be converted into mechanical strain, which can then be measured. New methods for calibrating, validating, and interpreting the physiological signals obtained using this approach must also be researched and developed.
