Open AccessExploring textile-based electrode materials for electromyography smart garments
Author(s) -
Emily Lam,
Milad Alizadeh-Meghrazi,
Alessandra Schlums,
Ladan Eskandarian,
Amin Mahnam,
Bastien Moineau,
Miloš R. Popović
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2055-6683
DOI - 10.1177/20556683211061995
Subject(s) - electrode , materials science , electromyography , biomedical engineering , wearable computer , isometric exercise , composite material , durability , computer science , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , physical therapy , chemistry , embedded system
In recent years, electromyography (EMG) has been increasingly studied for wearable applications. Conventional gel electrodes for electrophysiological recordings have limited use in everyday applications such as prosthetic control or muscular therapy at home. This study investigates the efficacy and feasibility of dry-contact electrode materials employed in smart textiles for EMG recordings.Methods Dry-contact electrode materials were selected and implemented on textile substrates. Using these electrodes, EMG was recorded from the forearm of able-bodied subjects. 25% and 50% isometric maximum voluntary contractions were captured. A comparative investigation was performed against gel electrodes, assessing the effect of material properties on signal fidelity and strength compared.Results When isolating for electrode surface area and pressure, 31 of the 40 materials demonstrated strong positive correlations in their mean PSD with gel electrodes (r > 95, p < 0.001). The inclusion of ionic liquids in the material composition, and using raised or flat electrodes, did not demonstrate a significant effect in signal quality.Conclusions For EMG dry-contact electrodes, comparing the performance against gel electrodes for the application with the selected material is important. Other factors recommended to be studied are electrodes’ durability and long-term stability.