Virtual Malloc Logovirtual malloc
CASE STUDY

Open-Source Neurotechnology Platform for Low-Cost Biosensing

Enabled global access to neurotechnology by reducing the cost of biosensing hardware and software by orders of magnitude, supporting research, education, and prototyping at scale.

Situation

Traditional neurotechnology platforms (EEG, EMG, ECG) require specialized hardware and licensed software, often costing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. This created a significant barrier for independent researchers, academic institutions, and emerging innovators.

Solution

Designed and delivered a fully modular, open-source neurotechnology platform spanning both hardware and software. The system was intentionally architected to balance cost, signal quality, and accessibility, enabling near-medical-grade signal acquisition without regulatory overhead.

OUTCOMES

4x broader access
labs classrooms and independents
0 license fees
software and designs
3 modalities supported
EEG EMG and ECG

Challenges

Cost

  • •High hardware costs
  • •Proprietary software licensing
  • •Limited research access

Access

  • •Institutional dependency barriers
  • •Restricted experimentation tools

Solutions

01

Modular Biosensing Hardware

PCB biosensing modules for EEG, EMG, and ECG acquisition.

  • Designed multi-channel PCB acquisition modules for EEG, EMG, and ECG signals
  • Supported flexible channel configurations for varied research workflows
  • Balanced signal fidelity with low-cost component selection
  • Enabled reproducible hardware builds across institutions
02

Expansion Architecture

Engineered modular expansion architecture to support increasing channel density without redesign.

  • Implemented stackable architecture for incremental channel scaling
  • Eliminated need for full-system replacement during upgrades
  • Supported rapid adaptation to evolving experiment requirements
03

Interoperable Components

Introduced interoperable hardware components to ensure maintainability and extensibility.

  • Standardized electrical interfaces across sensing modules
  • Simplified maintenance through interchangeable components
  • Enabled long-term extensibility of platform deployments
04

Open-Source Release

Released all designs and software as open-source to eliminate vendor lock-in.

  • Published hardware schematics and firmware openly
  • Removed vendor lock-in constraints for institutions