ElecSil™ Dry Electrodes vs. Thread & Gel for EMG/EEG: A Technical Comparison

In wearable technology, accurately measuring the body's electrical signal, like electromyography (EMG) from muscles and electroencephalography (EEG) from the brain, is a key challenge. For decades, this has relied on sticky, single-use gel electrodes. While effective, they are far from ideal for continuous, real-world monitoring.

The search for a better solution has led to innovations like conductive threads. However, truly seamless integration requires a new approach. This is where Wave Company's ElecSil™ technology enters the conversation. As a conductive silicone smart textile, ElecSil™ is engineered to overcome previous limitations. Let's explore the technical differences that set it apart.

ElecSil™ vs. Disposable Gel Electrodes

The most common method for clinical biosignal measurement uses disposable Ag/AgCl (silver/silver chloride) electrodes. These are considered the "gold standard" for signal quality due to a wet gel layer that creates a stable, low-impedance connection with the skin. However, anyone who has used them knows their significant drawbacks.

Disposable Electrodes:

• Mechanism: A metal electrode with conductive gel and an adhesive patch.

  
  

• Limitations:

  • Gel is cold, sticky, and can dehydrate, degrading signal quality.

    
    

  • Adhesive often causes skin irritation, making long-term use uncomfortable.

    
    

  • Single-use nature creates significant waste and recurring costs.

    
    

  • Impractical for integration into everyday clothing for dynamic monitoring.

ElecSil™ Technology:

• Mechanism: A dry electrode made of a conductive, stretchable silicone material (ElecSil™) directly integrated into fabric.

  
  

• Advantages:

  • Eliminates gels and adhesives, avoiding skin irritation and dehydration.

    
    

  • Ultra-thin (less than 1mm), flexible, and moves with the body.

    
    

  • Tested to endure over 100 wash cycles, making it durable and reusable.

    
    

  • Enables true smart garment integration for continuous EMG and EEG monitoring during sports, work, or daily life.

ElecSil™ vs. Conductive Thread Electrodes

Early smart textiles attempted to solve the problem by weaving or embroidering conductive threads into garments. While a major step forward, this method has its own technical challenges.

Conductive Thread Electrodes:

• Mechanism: Threads made from or coated with conductive materials (like silver or carbon) are embroidered or woven into fabric to create an electrode patch.

  
  

• Limitations:

  • Fine conductive fibers can degrade after repeated stretching and washing, leading to conductivity loss.

    
    

  • Electrical properties can be inconsistent.

    
    

  • Significant motion artifacts (signal noise from movement) due to unstable contact between rigid fibers and skin.

ElecSil™ Technology:

• Mechanism: ElecSil™ is not a thread, but a cohesive layer of conductive silicone that is printed and interlocked with the fabric.

  
  

• Advantages:

  • Superior resilience due to its bulk material structure, resisting stretching and twisting from wear and washing.

    
    

  • Elasticity maintains stable, conforming skin contact, reducing motion artifacts for more accurate EMG and EEG signal collection.

    
    

  • Highly resistant to corrosion from sweat, crucial for active wearables.

    
    

The Verdict: Enabling the Future of Wearables

The choice of electrode is fundamental in biosensing wearable design. While disposable electrodes served their purpose and conductive threads paved the way, neither fully delivers on the promise of seamless, long-term monitoring.

By creating a stretchable, washable, durable, and biocompatible dry electrode system, ElecSil™ overcomes the core limitations of previous technologies. It provides the high-quality signal measurement required for meaningful EMG and EEG analysis without compromising comfort or practicality. This robust technical foundation finally makes high-fidelity biosensing possible in our everyday clothes.

References

Kubsik, D., Krupecki, P., & Słowińska-Lisowska, M. (2023). The Effect of Kinesiology Taping on the Improvement of Sports Performance in Healthy Athletes—A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6344. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10377545/

Moreno, M. V., Chaset, L., Bittner, P. A., & Barthod, C. (2013). New reusable electrodes for assessing body composition. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 434(1), 012026. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258800864_New_reusable_electrodes_for_assessing_body_composition