University of Exeter - Biomedical Physics Group

• Country - United Kingdom
• Town - Exeter
• Web site - http://newton.ex.ac.uk/medphys/

The main researches are: Biophysics and Radiation Physics, Human Perception, Imaging and Measurement. Facilities include a 1.5T MR imager, dedicated to research, with fMRI capability. In particular about Human Perception their research in the physics of human perception focuses on two modalities: touch and hearing. Projects in tactile perception are investigating strategies for the transmission of temporal, spatial and spatio-temporal information to subjects through specific sites on the skin by means of purpose-built stimulator hardware, including tactile arrays that deliver complex stimuli to the fingertip via a close-packed set of vibratory transducers. This research has applications in sensory substitution for the hearing or visually impaired and virtual environments, where it is now feasible to add touch-information to enhance an environment created with visual and auditory signals. Current work includes the FET/IST ROSANA project, which involves measurements of neural activity in response to closely controlled touch stimuli on the digits. The UNEXE group has developed novel stimulator hardware for this project.

In the context of the ENACTIVE project, the UNEXE group provides unique expertise on tactile stimulators and coding of spatio-temporal information for presentation to the skin. In a practical interface, it is necessary to link this technology with other forms of haptic interface. The added value from the proposed collaboration is thus high, both for the UNEXE group and for those who collaborate with the UNEXE.