GrayUR Undergraduate Research for Credit - Brain Control Interface
Direct Brain Control Interfacing
Project Overview
OpenBCI is described as an open-source brain computer interface platform that seeks to distribute biosensing and neurosensing hardware at a low-cost. When paired with the service’s free-to-download Graphical User Interface (GUI), anyone with access to the hardware can analyze a live data stream of different brain waves and patterns from school, work, or the comfort of their own home. With this data, users can perform a variety of tasks, from implementing deep learning algorithms to control a bionic arm, to coding and playing a video game paired with software that predicts movement from the live stream of data
Objectives
- Validate system hardware
- Design actuation system
- Demonstration actuation
- Spring proposal
Major Tasks
The major tasks of the project are outlined below. These are nominal and are likely to change somewhat throughout the course of the year. These are meant to illustrate the general nature of the work that the position entails.
- Validate system operation
- Design system hardware interface
- Design system software interface
- System build and validate
- Design system demonstration experiment
- Demonstrate system
- Draft spring proposal
- Manage and report
General Responsibilities of the Group
Students participating in the GrayUR undergraduate research group will register for an ENGE 2994 or ENGE 4994 undergraduate research course. Typically, students enroll for a 1 credit-hour course load. Under certain circumstances, we can look at extending this up to as many as 3 credits per semester and can sometimes explore technical elective credit within your major. Though not required, the expectation is that you will continue on with the team for two semesters, though we will examine the relationship at the end of the fall semester.
In addition to the major technical tasks listed above, all members of the GrayUR undergraduate research team should expect
- To devote ~3 hours/week to research for each credit hour
- To attend a biweekly team meeting with Dr. Gray
- To attend a monthly all-hands meeting with Dr. Gray
- To participate in periodic reporting (symposia, research poster sessions, etc.)
Major Deliverables
All student teams will have the following deliverables
- One progress presentation to the entire GrayUR group each semester
- Final project reporting
- Final report
- Final slides
- Final personal reflection
Open Positions
Specific Role(s)
Preferred Majors
Preferred Academic Years
Looking for first-year/Sophomore/Junior level students
Preferred Skills and Interests
- Neuroscience
- BMES
- EE
- CpE
- Biology
- Psychology
How to Apply
Applications will be reviewed by Dr. Gray and by continuing researchers on the team. After a review of the application, our team will contact candidates to schedule an interview (likely to be conducted via zoom). Review for the positions will begin on Bastille Day, 2022, and will continue until all positions are filled. Please send an email to Dr. David Gray (dagray3@vt.edu) with the following deliverables;
- A brief (~1 page) essay or cover letter explaining which of the projects you are interested in, and why you think you might be a good fit for that project (or those projects). If you are applying for multiple projects, extend your essay a little and describe your interest and qualifications for each position. Be sure to let us know your major and where you are in your academic career (sophomore, junior, etc.)
- A resume outlining your work experience and education
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
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