Wearable gold–graphene dry electrode-based headband for effective brain–computer interface applications

Abstract

A peripheral control system based on head electrophysiological signals is a powerful tool for patients with hand disabilities, limb inflexibility, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to achieve self-care and participate in appropriate work. This study develops vertically grown gold-doped few-layer graphene (Au-FLG) for the dry collection of scalp electrophysiological signals. A dual-channel headband is assembled using Au-FLG dry electrodes, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control software is designed using the characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), and electromyogram (EMG) signals. The optimized Au-FLG dry electrode has a scalp-contact resistance of approximately 20.7 kΩ, and the signal-to-noise ratios of EEG, EOG, and EMG are 5.82, 6.35, and 14.44 dB, respectively, demonstrating excellent long-term stability. The Au-FLG-based brain–computer interface (BCI) system has a control sensitivity of one action for 4 s, an information transfer rate of 46.11 bits min⁻¹, and a precision of approximately 85.4%. This work proposes a scalp Au-FLG dry electrode as a device to collect electrophysiological signals and designs peripheral control software based on facial electrophysiological signals. The BCI system is of great significance for UAVs and the control of disabled assistive devices such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and respirators.