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QUASAR-Automated
University of California, San Diego
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
MAE 156B: Senior Design Project (Winter 2026)
George Nakoud, Jesse Rupe, Justin Prupas, Max Martin, Winston Chou
The final design is a fully integrated, mannequin-style test fixture that measures the normal force exerted by an EEG headset at specific locations across the scalp. The modular system features a two-part 3D-printed headform with negative cutouts corresponding to the international 10–20 system. Thirteen custom pneumatic force-sensing pods—each housing a temperature-compensated micropressure sensor on a custom PCB—secure into these cutouts via reversible snap-fits. The sensors connect to a custom multiplexer PCB, which routes signals via I2C to an ESP32 microcontroller for processing and USB transmission to a laptop. Dedicated PC software provides a 3D interface for users to import sensor layouts, calibrate individual pods, and view real-time, three-dimensional visualizations of the applied forces.
Project Background
Project Background
Quantum Applied Science & Research (QUASAR), a pioneer in dry electrode and multimodal biosensing technology, develops noninvasive, gel-free systems for real-world physiological monitoring. Their patented Dry Sensor Interface (DSI) enables high-fidelity EEG recordings without skin preparation, bridging neuroscience and engineering for healthcare, defense, and research applications.
QUASAR sponsored this project to develop a standardized system for evaluating the contact force and comfort of their EEG headsets. To ensure reliable signal acquisition without causing discomfort, each sensor must apply precise pressure to the scalp. As QUASAR iterates on headset designs and sensor layouts, this system provides a reliable method to validate that new devices are both effective and comfortable.
Project Obejective
Project Obejective
This project required the design of a force-sensing pod that met the following requirements:
High Priority
Design a force sensing pod capable of accurate, precise, and repeatable measurements, targeting a range of 0.3 to 1 N.
Force sensing pods need to be ≤ 30 mm in diameter and should cost ≤ $50 per sensor.
Design a system to implement 12 to 32 force sensing pods into a model head.
Second Priority
Develop a UI capable of displaying and recording live data from the model head.
Develop a robust, user-friendly calibration system for the implanted pods.
WOW Solution
Design a parametric CAD model of the model head that allows heads of different shapes and sizes to be generated with togglable sensor site locations.
3D visualization of the live sensor data displayed using the CAD model of the patient’s head.
Narrated Video Showing Design
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