The new mask is able to track the reaction of people to visible objects

Scientists note that “the ability to track heart rate and eye movements using a single wearable device

will allow for a variety of sleep studies andpsychosocial research, and improve the accuracy and usability of gaming and virtual reality headsets.” The study's first author, S. Zohra Homayounfar, will present the results this week at the online fall meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Record facial health and behavior signalsor close to it is difficult, "because most people are really sensitive and react to objects placed on their face or head." Ganesan adds that "until now, combining many different sensing elements into one garment has seemed cumbersome, especially when it comes to small eye masks."

Researchers say their lungThe Chesma adaptable eye mask is equipped with two types of tissue electrodes that can be simply sewn onto a variety of ready-to-wear garments and reduced if desired. This capability allows them to integrate electrodes into a lightweight foam mask for recording electrooculography and cardiac signals. Their design allows electrodes to be automatically positioned on the face without the need for special fitting.

This video demonstrates how Chesma monitors eye movement in real time. Credit: S. Zohre Homayunfar.

The mask contains five hydrogel electrodes onbased on silver (Ag) threads needed to convert ion-based biological signals into electrical current. The researchers used the vapor deposition process to create the electrodes. 

Credit: University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The mask also contains one fabric pressure sensor(PressION) placed over the artery to monitor the pulse as an indicator of cardiac function, with the entire device connected to two microcontrollers with water-repellent silver threads as connectors. 

The team tested the new eye mask onsubjects while they chewed, talked, and also during various head and eye movements. They also used the same device for over a year and found no degradation in performance after 15 washes. 

Andrew expects that "unique bimodality"Chesma - the combination of an electrode network with a pressure sensor - will enable many new, cutting-edge research that has not been possible until now, such as sleep quality, sleep disturbances, mental health, neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia.

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