Brain computer interface

Dr LI Penghai held a seminar of “Brain Computer Interface (BCI): research progress and applications in rehabilitation” today at the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research (IMAR), TORT Centre. He introduced several main methods of how to apply electroencephalography (EEG) in the control of particular devices including remote control of wheelchairs, robots, and exoskeletons for paralysed individuals using brain signals. The audience from IMAR and other departments had an interesting discussion with Dr Li later after the seminar to explore collaboration between Dr Li’s institution and IMAR.

Penghai is an Associate Professor from the School of Electronic Information Engineering (SEIE), Tianjin University of Technology (TUT) in China. As an Associate Researcher of University of Dundee (UoD), he works in the IMAR and the Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery between April-September 2015. His stay is financially supported by Tianjin government. The objectives of his visit are to build a collaboration partnership between SEIE, TUT and IMAR, UoD and to carry out research projects on the application of EEG in clinical practice.

Since 2005, several groups or individuals of colleagues from different universities, institutes and hospitals of Tianjin have visited to or worked in IMAR, and meanwhile the researchers from IMAR (Dr Wang, Professor Abboud and Dr Arnold) also have been to Tianjin several times. Following the previous exchanged visits, Penghai’s visit enhances the traditional partnership between the researchers of Tianjin and Dundee. It is believed that his stay will bring new collaborations in research and teaching activities between the two countries and produce cutting-edge research to enhance the quality of life of disabled people.

Professor Abboud, Director of IMAR, stated:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the seminar which was organised by Dr Wang who has forged a strong link between IMAR and several institutes in Tianjin, and resulted in the reciprocating visits between IMAR and the respective departments in China. BCI is another area that we are interested in exploring to improve the quality of life of many of our disabled patients and I hope that fruitful collaborative work could be established and led by Dr Wang through joint international grants”.