# A Dry Electrode for Universal Accessibility to EEG

> **NIH NIH R43** · QUASAR, INC. · 2023 · $499,996

## Abstract

Abstract
Electroencephalography (EEG) measures the brain’s local field potential from the surface of the scalp. This
method is useful for studying cognitive processes, neurological states, and medical conditions. Its relative low-
cost, ease-of use, and non-invasiveness increase its utility in brain monitoring for both research and medical
applications. Unfortunately, the process of acquiring EEG is often not inclusive of all research subjects.
EEG typically requires scalp abrasion and application of conductive gels to create a low impedance contact
between exposed skin and the electrode tips. This approach is critical to obtaining good signals and reducing
artifacts; however, it creates challenges for the hair of Black or African American people. Studies have shown
that tightly curled hair (Type 4) of African origin impacts the ability of EEG caps to place electrodes to measure
brain activity and the hair’s low absorption of liquid can impact the conductance of the saline solutions used to
conduct signal. In addition, people of African origin often select hairstyles with various braiding, locs, or
weaving with synthetic hair, which can impede electrode placement and are commonly listed as exclusion
criteria for research, thereby excluding people of African origin at higher rates. Furthermore, even when they
do participate in collection, EEG technology unsuited to their hair type/style may lead to lower signal-to-noise
ratios than on other subjects, resulting in their data being rejected from the study’s analysis, thereby creating
an unintentional racial barrier to study inclusion.
Quantum Applied Science & Research (QUASAR), Inc. has developed innovative dry active pinned electrodes
that work through hair without the need for abrasion or gels and acquire high-quality EEG signals comparable
to those from gold-standard wet electrodes. This Phase I SBIR project aims to establish the feasibility of new
dry or wet electrode tip designs that address the challenges posed by Type 4 hair types and commonly
associated hairstyles. New designs will be tested on phantom mannequin heads and validated on human
participants. The overall outcome of this project will be novel EEG electrode designs and systems that will
reduce EEG access disparity for people of African origin in medical research and healthcare applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10761609
- **Project number:** 1R43NS132644-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** QUASAR, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Neil J McDonald
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $499,996
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10761609

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10761609, A Dry Electrode for Universal Accessibility to EEG (1R43NS132644-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10761609. Licensed CC0.

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