Development, fabrication and evaluation of textile electrodes for EDA measurements

Abstract

In this study, textile-based dry electrodes that are integrable to clothing were developed, and their potential and limitations in EDA measurements were characterized. Copper-based and silver-based fabric electrodes and two types of electrodes embroidered from conductive thread were tested for EDA-measurements from fingers, and their performance was compared to that of commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. Based on the experiment results, stimulus response of skin conductance could be measured with all the electrodes. Copper-based fabric and densely embroider silver electrodes give the best EDA response, which is comparable to that of commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. The next step is to integrate these textile electrodes into gloves and socks and carry out EDA measurements on female and male adults as well as on children. Our goal is that these EDA measurement clothes would become a part of our everyday life, which would enable versatile health and well-being related applications.