NeurAlbertaTech is proud to spotlight the impressive achievements of natUAlberta, one of the three natChapters we host and support, showcasing their groundbreaking contributions and innovative strides in neurotechnology. natChapters are student-led organizations at post-secondary institutions dedicated to fostering neurotechnology innovator networks. The University of Alberta’s natChapter, natUA for short, provides students with unparalleled opportunities to delve into neurotechnologies and neuroscience through engaging events, valuable networking sessions, and innovative project teams. natUA hosts an impressive array of project teams, two of which NeurAlbertaTech would like to highlight for their remarkable advancements.
Project HECATRON is the first of the two projects developed by the talented students at natUA. Spearheaded by Harrison Fah, a second-year master’s student in Computing Science, and Nicholas Mellon, recent graduate of Computing Science, this project aims to enable seamless and intuitive control of prosthetic hands for users. Harrison Fah has been associated with NAT since his second year of undergraduate studies, providing valuable experience and leadership to the team.
The primary objective of HECATRON is to develop a neuroprosthetic hand that operates solely on brain signals. Utilizing advanced equipment from NAT, including Muse headsets (Muse 2 and Muse S) and Open BCI headsets, the team employs EEG technology to track electrical signals from the brain to enable users to open and close their hand on command, with plans to eventually allow for the movement of individual fingers. Initially, the team adopted a basic approach, using supervised learning, a machine learning technique that utilizes labelled data to train the system. However, after being inspired by experiences from natHACKS 2023, they transitioned to reinforcement learning, a more advanced machine learning technique that allows for greater freedom in controlling the prosthetic hand and customizing the association of brain signals with specific movements for the individual.
Over the course of two years, the project has been steady progress, with recent advancements accelerating development, notes Harrison. The team hopes to create a prosthetic hand that can be used by individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including those who are missing their entire arm or experiencing paralysis. What makes HECATRON unique is that, unlike traditional prosthetics that rely on EMG signals from muscles, which require some part of the hand to be intact, HECATRON leverages brain signals to interpret intended movements, maximizing the potential of prosthetic devices to provide more comprehensive solutions for those in need.
The second notable project is TECNIQ, a psychiatrist-orientated software developed in collaboration with a local Edmonton physician, and the Experience Ventures Program offered through the Student Innovation Centre (SIC). This software aims to bridge high-end neurotechnology hardware and physician usability. This was the second iteration of Experience Ventures-funded projects under the TECNIQ name. This year, the project has focused on refining the treatment process and adding key features to assist clinicians in administering ketamine by allowing real-time observation of patient brain waves, ensuring more precise and effective treatments.
TECNIQ’s significance was highlighted when it was presented at the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences (CSPS) 2024 Annual Symposium Innovations in Drug Discovery and Development. The CSPS Annual Symposium is a premier gathering where pharmaceutical scientists come together in Edmonton to discuss and explore new horizons in pharmaceutical science. Held at the University of Alberta Lister Centre from June 10th to the 13th, this prestigious event showcased TECNIQ’s potential to make a lasting impact on psychiatric care.
Shahzaib Ahmed, a fourth-year Software Engineering student and natUA project lead, played a pivotal role in programming the technical aspects of TECNIQ, alongside contributions from Sunny Sun and Raymart Datuin.
The Student Innovation Centre (SIC) at the University of Alberta plays a crucial role in supporting and fostering student-led projects, such as those by NeurAlbertaTech. Through the Experience Ventures Program, the SIC provides invaluable resources such as mentorship and stipends to initiatives like TECNIQ, enhancing their development and impact. Additionally, the SIC facilitates partnerships between student innovators and groups. This is exemplified by a hackathon partnership between NeurAlbertaTech and Ada's Team, dedicated to creating tech solutions for non-profit organizations and led by underrepresented individuals in STEM fields. These collaborations and support initiatives promote engagement and experiential learning in innovation, empowering all students to transform their ideas into reality. Dallyce Bialowas, Student Innovation Center
Student Innovation Centre (SIC) at the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta Chapter of NeurAlbertaTech continues to thrive, hosting innovative project teams filled with members from diverse academic disciplines. By fostering a culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary research, natUA consistently brings success to various student-led innovations. Projects like TECNIQ are a testament to the vibrant and dynamic environment within natUA, highlighting the immense potential of their initiatives. With a continued focus on groundbreaking projects and a commitment to advancing technology and healthcare, natUA remains dedicated and hopeful for even greater achievements in the future.