Objective. Circadian and sleep dysfunction have long been symptomatic hallmarks of a variety of devastating neurodegenerative conditions. The gold standard for sleep monitoring is overnight sleep in a polysomnography (PSG) laboratory. However, this method has several limitations such as availability, cost and being labour-intensive. In recent years there has been a heightened interest in home-based sleep monitoring via wearable sensors. Our objective was to demonstrate the use of printed electrode technology as a novel platform for sleep monitoring. Approach. Printed electrode arrays offer exciting opportunities in the realm of wearable electrophysiology. In particular, soft electrodes can conform neatly to the wearer’s skin, allowing user convenience and stable recordings. As such, soft skin-adhesive non-gel-based electrodes offer a unique opportunity to combine electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrooculography (EOG) and facial EMG capabilities to capture neural and motor functions in comfortable non-laboratory settings. In this investigation temporary-tattoo dry electrode system for sleep staging analysis was designed, implemented and tested. Main results. EMG, EOG and EEG were successfully recorded using a wireless system. Stable recordings were achieved both at a hospital environment and a home setting. Sleep monitoring during a 6 h session shows clear differentiation of sleep stages. Significance. The new system has great potential in monitoring sleep disorders in the home environment. Specifically, it may allow the identification of disorders associated with neurological disorders such as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder.

Electromyography of the zygomaticus major and the corrugator supercilii muscles is a well-established technique to capture positive and negative emotional affect. Despite the great potential, its wide adoption has been so far limited owing to several lingering technical limitations in contemporary electromyography electrodes. In this paper, we report on new printed electrode arrays, specifically designed to capture emotional affect, focusing on their unique and advantageous properties compared with conventional gelled electrodes. Inkjet-or screen-printing, combined with film cutting and lamination techniques, were used to produce customized electrode arrays. Conformity with the skin was guaranteed by printing on very thin and soft films. Unlike conventional gelled-surface electromyography electrodes, the printed electrode arrays are dry, allowing long-term and stable recording. Moreover, the large electrode arrays can be rapidly and conveniently placed on the subject's face, maintaining excellent electrode-skin compliance. Muscle localization was achieved despite inter-subject variability in facial features and electrode array position, as a result of high spatial resolution and source separation methodology. The presented electrode arrays open new opportunities in brain-machine interfacing, well-being investigations and mood monitoring.

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