The Measurement and Analysis of Ion Flow between the Human Body and Local Ground

ECE 791/792 Oral ProposalProject Team: Seshank Appasani, Chris Chirgwin and Paul RiouxECE Faculty Advisors: Dr. Kent Chamberlin and Dr. Wayne SmithCurrent Date: October 27, 2011Project Completion Date: May 2011

Topics

• Problem Statement• General Overview and Background• Past Research• Design Objectives• Testing Processes• Parts Used• Testing Analysis• Timeline• Estimated Cost• Project Allocation

Problem Statement

• To measure the charge flow between the human body and ground in order to understand the nature of the charge exchange.

• Understand the meaning of “Earthing”.

Background

• Until recently, humans have always been in constant contact with the ground

• Recently, humans are more insulated

• Research has shown that this disconnection from the Earth causes health problems

General Overview

• By connecting one’s body to the Earth, electrons can freely flow into the body from the ground.

• By having electrons freely flow, health conditions that are caused by insulation are alleviated.

Before grounding After grounding

Past Research

• Sleep studies• Cortisol level realignment• Pain level reduction• Research yet to be

accomplished

Design Objectives

• Ground the human body.• Design and build an amplifier that will scale the

current exchange• Generate LabVIEW and Matlab code to record and

analyze data.• Discover what constitutes effective grounding of the

human body.

Testing Processes• Connect subject to ground using an anti-static

wristband and a conductive pad• Scale the current exchange• Record and analyze data• Applied to IRB in order to use human test subjects

Parts Used

• Belkin Anti-Static Wristband • Earthing Universal Bed Pad• Amplifier Circuit• LabVIEW program• Matlab program

Belkin Anti-Static Wristband

• General use• Subject attached to

electric ground through anti-static wrist strap

• Purpose

Earthing Universal Bed Pad

• What is bed pad?• Subject attached to

electric ground through bed pad

Amplifier Circuit

• Parts used– INA128P Amplifier– Power Generator– DAQ box

R11kΩ

Resistor_Gain1kΩ

VCC9V

VEE-9V

NI USB-6009 (DAQ Box)

GNDAI0AI4GND2AI1AI5GND3AI2AI6GND4AI3AI7GND5AO0AO1GND6

P0.0P0.1P0.2P0.3P0.4P0.5P0.6P0.7P1.0P1.1P1.2P1.3PFIO+2.5V+5VGND7

Wristband connected to subject

LabVIEW program

LabVIEW

• Program design• Initial_Signal_

Measure_Tool_v1.1.vi

• DAQ box• Records and stores voltage data• Text file to test program• Binary file for future implementation

Matlab

• Future development• Used to analyze data• Convert output voltage to input current• Represent data graphically

LabVEIWData

MatLabData

GraphicalRepresentation

Testing Analysis

• To reach conclusions about what constitutes effective grounding of the human body

• Identify information pertaining to charge exchange

• Find the sources of the spikes in voltage

TimelineECE 791

Define the Problem

Prepare Written & Oral Proposal

Research Solutions

Collecting Initial Data

Develop Implementation Plan

Develop Testing Plan

Implement selected solution

Prepare Progress Report

ECE 792

Project review and Replan

Register for UNH-URC

Evaluate Implementation

Prepare UNH-URC poster presentation

Prepare Final Report

8/20/2011 10/9/2011 11/28/2011 1/17/2012 3/7/2012 4/26/2012

Estimated Costs

Instruments and Parts Price of each Quantity Cost

Auto Seat Pads $39.95 1 $39.95

Earthing Universal Bed Pad $169.00 2 $338.00

Belkin Anti-Static Wristband $7.34 2 $14.68

Earthing Splitter Plug $6.95 1 $6.95

Total $399.58

Project AllocationSeshank Appasani Chris Chirgwin Paul Rioux

Background Research

Design of Papers

Amplifier Circuit LabVIEW

Matlab

Testing Subjects

Presentations

Questions?

Acknowledgements• Ober, Clinton, Stephen T. Sinatra, and Martin Zucker. Earthing: the Most

Important Health Discovery Ever? Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, 2010. Print.

• Professor Chamberlin• Professor Smith• Adam Perkins

Picture Sources• http://www.spacedoc.com/Earthing_The_Most_Important_Health_Discov

ery_Ever_3• http://www.foothealers.com/about-us/foot-healers-blog/seven-tips-for-yo

ur-feet-at-the-beach.html• https://shop.earthing.com/products/26/Earthing-Universal-Bed-Pad• http://www.healthylivingwithnaturalsupplements.com/earthing-products.

html• http://www.electronice.3pedia.ro/gadget_Belkin-Anti-Static-Wrist-Band-w

ith-Adjustable-Grounding_10276.html• http://www.flickr.com/photos/28509950@N00/7587754/• http://www.visionmagazine.com/archives/0806/mindstates-earthing.html• http://

www.yogaeveryday.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/evolution-to-computer.jpg

• http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/01/your_friday_dose_of_woo_grounded_in_woo_1.php