Engineering Commons^™

Acoustic Filter For Biopharmacy, Nicholas Rivet

Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

The design and development of a novel flow induced acoustically tuned “filterless” filter is proposed. The proposed research is on developing two or more prototypes that function as a cell retention device for perfusion cell cultures used in continuous manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. This research will provide a non-invasive, cost-effective, flexible, and robust cell retention device for sustainable manufacturing of biologics.

Field Calibration Of A Time Domain Reflectometry Sensor For Water Content Measurement In Soils With Low Content Of Coarse Fragments, Rehnuma Maisha, Dean Steele, Aaron L. M. Daigh, Derek M. Heeren, Trenton E. Franz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Comparison of soil water sensors for irrigation scheduling requires an accurate reference measurement. An Acclima TDR-310H soil water content sensor was calibrated and validated for sand, loamy sand, clay loam, sandy clay loam, and sandy loam soils. In 2021, sensor readings and soil samples were collected in the same sensor volume at depths of 15 and 46 cm at three irrigated field sites with five stations each. Gravimetric water content, bulk density, and volumetric water content (θv) were determined in the lab. The root mean square error was 0.032 cm³ cm⁻³, which was within acceptable limits. The …

Side Channel Analysis Of Modern Cryptographic Processors, Srinivas Nittala

Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

No abstract provided.

The Optimization Of A T-Cell Resonator: Towards Highly Sensitive Photoacoustic Spectroscopy For Noninvasive Blood Glucose Detection, Thasin Mohammad Zaman, Md Rejvi Kaysir, Shazzad Rassel, Dayan Ban

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research

Noninvasive blood glucose monitoring is crucial for diabetes management, and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) offers a promising solution by detecting glucose levels through human skin. However, weak acoustic signals in PAS systems require optimized resonator designs for enhanced detection sensitivity. Designing such resonators physically is complex, requiring the precise identification of critical parameters before practical implementation. This study focused on optimizing a T-shaped photoacoustic resonator using finite element modeling in a COMSOL Multiphysics environment. By systematically varying the geometric design parameters of the T-cell resonator, a maximum increase in the pressure amplitude of 12.76 times with a quality factor (Q-factor) of …

Continuous Purification Of A Parvovirus Using Two Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction Steps, Natalie Nold, Sheridan Waldack, Grace James, Trisha Colling, Lynn M. Manchester, Taravat Sarvari, Amanda P. Bekkala, Seth Kriz, Madison Baldwin, Emily Agustin-Mazariegos, Michael J. Betenbaugh, Caryn Heldt

Michigan Tech Publications

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) are a liquid–liquid extraction method that offers low-cost, continuous-adaptable virus purification. A two-step ATPS using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium citrate that recovered 66% of infectious porcine parvovirus with 2.0 logs of protein removal and 1.0 logs of DNA removal in batch has now been run continuously. The continuous system output of < 10 ng/mL DNA regardless of starting DNA titer agreed with batch studies. However, the continuous system had a five-fold higher contaminating protein titer than batch studies, likely because of incomplete mixing or settling. Turbidity was tested as a measure of mixing and settling efficiency. Monitoring in-line absorbance at 880 nm directly after mixing and before collection in the settling reservoir could track both mixing and settling during operation. Settling time was reduced by changing the settling line material from PVC to PTFE, which is more hydrophobic. A flow-through AEX filter tested to make impurity removal more robust recovered 90% of PPV and removed an additional 87% of host cell DNA. The filter did not add any additional protein removal. In the future, in-line absorbance sensors could be implemented along with conductivity sensors to measure salt concentration, refractive index sensors to track the PEG-citrate interface, and scales to track mixer and reservoir volumes to enable automated, continuous ATPS. Our vision is to integrate continuous ATPS into a fully continuous end-to-end production for viral vectors.

Optimizing Epoxy Nanocomposites With Oxidized Graphene Quantum Dots For Superior Mechanical Performance: A Molecular Dynamics Approach, Prathamesh P. Deshpande, Robert Chan-Jobe, Josh Kemppainen, Gregory Odegard, Ozgur Keles

Michigan Tech Publications

Due to their excellent mechanical properties, epoxy composites are widely used in low-density applications. However, the brittle epoxy matrix often serves as the principal failure point. Matrix enhancements can be achieved by optimizing polymer combinations to maximize intermolecular interactions or by introducing fillers. While nanofillers such as clay, rubber, carbon nanotubes, and nanoplatelets enhance mechanical properties, they can lead to issues like agglomeration, voids, and poor load transfer. Quantum dots, being the smallest nanofillers, offer higher dispersion and the potential to promote intermolecular interactions, enhancing stiffness, strength, and toughness simultaneously. This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to design graphene quantum …

Modular Molecular Design Of Polymerized Pro-Estrogen Materials Enables Controlled Astrocyte Response, Devan L. Puhl, Alexis Ziemba, Samuel A.T. Ellman, Alex Hsu, Jayant Saksena, Penelope Phillips Falcone, Bailey Balouch, Deniz Rende, Tanner Fink, R. Helen Zha, Ryan J. Gilbert, Edmund F. Palermo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The hormone 17β-estradiol (estrogen or "E2") has demonstrated robust neuroprotective properties in countering oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity, as well as strong neurotrophic properties to promote axonal growth, following injury to the central nervous system (CNS). However, oral or injected E2 is a suboptimal drug, as systemic administration fails to achieve a therapeutic dose at the injury site, in addition to being contraindicated in most male patients. Polymerized pro-drug biomaterials can mitigate these issues by locally releasing small quantities of drug over vastly extended timescales. We sought to study the effect of the biomaterial properties of poly(pro-E2) on astrocyte-surface interactions because astrocytes …

Numerical Simulation Of Heat Transfer In Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (Shs)-Based Calcination Of Limestone, Sayee Srikarah Volaity, Shubham Agrawal, Srinivas Kilambi, Patrick Phelan, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Calcination of limestone, a high temperature (∼900 °C) process that emits 44 % of the mass of limestone as CO₂, is a critical process in the production of many industrially important materials. To soften the CO₂-related impacts of traditional calcination, and to enable ultrafast synthesis of lime, a novel approach based on self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been put forward. SHS uses exothermic heat released by the combustion of fuel intermixed with the reactants to advance the reaction, and hence requires the provision of lower external temperatures. This study introduces a microstructure-guided modeling approach to understand …

Compositionally Complex Diborides: Competing Solubility During Sintering And Properties, Laura Silvestroni, Carlo Baldisserri, Jacopo Matteo Tabaglio, Nicola Gilli, Jeremy Watts, Steven M.I. Smith, Gregory E. Hilmas, William G. Fahrenholtz

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An ultra-high temperature ceramic based on ZrB2, TiB2, and SiC was hot pressed to full density at 1850 °C. Addition of 5 vol% of different metal-compounds, in the form of HfC, VC, NbC or CrB2, increased the densification temperature to 1910 °C. The resulting compositionally complex ceramics had homogeneous microstructures with boride grains exhibiting core-shell features. The shell was a solid solution containing variable amounts of the three metals. Notably, TiB2 remained as a discrete phase in the reference material and in the presence of the V- and Cr- based additions, whilst it dissolved into the main ZrB2-based grains for …

Ute Mri For Assessing Demyelination In An Mtbi Mouse Model: An Open-Field Low-Intensity Blast Study, Yajun Ma, Qingbo Tang, Xin Cheng, Jiyo S. Athertya, David Coughlin, Eric Y. Chang, Catherine E. Johnson, Jiankun Cui, Zezong Gu, Jiang Du

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a leading cause of long-term disability. Following mTBI, secondary chemical cascades and neuroinflammation can result in myelin damage, significantly impairing cognitive function. This study aims to assess demyelination in mice with mTBI induced by open-field low-intensity blast (LIB) using a novel three-dimensional short repetition time adiabatic inversion recovery UTE (3D STAIR-UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence. Thirty male C57BL/6 mice, with 15 experiencing mTBI and 15 serving as sham controls, were included in this study. Behavioral tests were performed starting at 5 days post-injury to assess motor activity and anxiety-like responses followed by STAIR-UTE …

Analysis Of Pistachio Shell-Derived Activated Porous Carbon Materials For Hydrogen Adsorption, Setareh Elyasi, Nishar Hameed, Peter J. Mahon, Saulius Juodkazis, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Tawanda Matamba, J. Vongsvivut, Nisa V. Salim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Developing efficient storage materials is critical for advancing the hydrogen economy. In this study, we aim to utilize plant-based biomass as a sustainable source for fabricating porous carbon (PC) and subsequently employing it for hydrogen adsorption. For the first time, we synthesize highly porous carbon materials from pistachio shells as precursor materials for efficient hydrogen storage. Experiments were conducted to chemically activate pistachio shells using two different agents, sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl), at varying ratios. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these chemical activation agents in enhancing the surface area of PC and, consequently, its hydrogen adsorption …

Single-Entity Protein Electrochemistry Of A Diffusion-Limited Enzyme, Ziwen Zhao, Nikolaos Kostopoulos, Sagar Ganguli, Paul Bergstrom, Alina Sekretareva

Michigan Tech Publications

In this work, we present single-entity protein electrochemistry (SEPE) experiments on catalase, along with a theoretical model to simulate its enzymatic activity and predict the experimentally observed current responses. We perform SEPE measurements at various enzyme concentrations and use protein film voltammetry to investigate the origin of the observed electrochemical signals in SEPE. The modeling approach we develop combines finite element simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics with random walk simulations in MATLAB. The enzyme is represented as a partially active sphere, with an arc on the surface corresponding to the enzyme’s diffusion channel leading to the active site. Notably, the model …

Two-Layer Formulation For Long-Runout Turbidity Currents: Theory And Bypass Flow Case, Hongbo Ma, Gary Parker, Matthieu Cartigny, Enrica Viparelli, S. Balachandar, Xudong Fu, Rossella Luchi

Faculty Publications

Turbidity currents, which are stratified, sediment-laden bottom flows in the ocean or lakes, can run out for hundreds or thousands of kilometres in submarine channels without losing their stratified structure. Here, we derive a layer-averaged, two-layer model for turbidity currents, specifically designed to capture long-runout. A number of previous models have captured runout of only tens of kilometres, beyond which thickening of the flows becomes excessive, and the models without a lateral overspill mechanism fail. In our framework, a lower layer containing nearly all the sediment is a faster, gravity-driven flow that propels an upper layer, where sediment concentration is …

Ultrahigh Electric Charge Density Harvested From Pre-Compressed Ferroelectric Ceramics, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, Alexander S. Shkuratov, Christopher S. Lynch

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ferroelectric elements of high-power electrical generators, utilizing the ability of ferroelectric materials to produce electric charge under mechanical stress, are subjected to either high-pressure shock or moderate-pressure impact loading. The results are reported herein on experimental investigations of a different mode for the generation of a high electric charge density, one that utilizes pre-compressed ferroelectric ceramics. Hard PZT 52/48 (Navy Type I/PZT-4) ferroelectric ceramic specimens were subjected to static uniaxial compressive stress parallel to polarization. At the moment of operation, the output terminals of the specimens were connected to an external circuit, and the applied stress was quickly removed, resulting …

A Numerical Investigation Of The Performance Of Damaged Concrete Barriers Under Sequential Vehicular Impacts, Ashesh Pokhrel, Andrew D. Sorensen, Mohsen Zaker Esteghamati

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

Concrete median barriers are prone to damage from low-velocity impacts. However, there is a limited understanding of how damage from initial impacts affects barriers’ long-term performance and whether they maintain safe continued service or must be replaced. Therefore, this paper evaluates the performance of the concrete barriers under sequential low-velocity impact using finite-element analysis. Crash test simulations were performed by impacting the concrete barrier twice with an 80,000 lb (36-ton) tractor-trailer at a target impact velocity and angle. The first impact’s velocities varied between 30 mph (48 kmph) and 54 mph (87 kmph) at 10◦ , 15◦ , and 20◦ …

Experimental Validation Of Bio-Inspired Control: 4 Story Shear Structure, Vamsee Vemana

24th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2025)

With the rise of rapid urbanization, skyscrapers are increasingly common, making them vulnerable to environmental pressures such as high winds and earthquakes. These forces threaten the structural stability of tall buildings, necessitating the development of active control methods to mitigate their effects and maintain structural integrity. Traditional control systems utilize numerous sensing nodes that feed data into a centralized system, which then determines the appropriate actions for the actuators. However, this centralized approach can introduce substantial lag due to the overwhelming amount of data being processed. By transitioning to a decentralized wireless system, where sensors directly feed data to control …

Enhancing Oil Recovery With Novel Nano-Particle-Infused Surfactant Biopolymer Composite: A Comprehensive Investigation, Attia Attia, Amira Shafaay Dr., Michael Sami Alfonse Eng., George Azmi Eng., Rania Ramadan

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

The oil industry worldwide is searching for a new way to increase oil recovery. Chemical flooding has been used worldwide to improve oil recovery. In this research, the study of Enhanced Oil Recovery was carried out by using an Egyptian oil of API 42◦; the experiments were done by using Xanthan biopolymer (XG) gum with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a composite for the EOR process and studying the impact of different composite concentrations on oil recovery. Design Expert software was used to determine the optimum concentrations of the composite. 500 ppm concentration of graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP) …

Instrumented Tennis Racket To Train Proper Grip In Novice Tennis Players, Mia Bergethon, Isaac Sandoval

24th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2025)

This instrumented tennis racket is designed to help novice players maintain proper grip strength and reduce the risk of developing tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is a condition caused by repeatedly gripping the racket with excessive force which strains the muscles causing tears and inflammation. The racket features embedded force sensors to measure grip strength and provides real-time haptic feedback, signaling players to adjust their grip during training. A phone app connects to the racket and records grip strength for each swing session, reinforcing proper technique.

Eight to ten miniature 12 mm motors were placed in the base of a Wilson …

The Role Of Counter Electrode In Perovskite Solar Cell On Silicon Substrate To Enhance Power Conversion Efficiency For Cmos-Compatible Applications, Sameh O. Abdellatif, Eman Sawires

Electrical Engineering

This study investigates the impact of various counter-electrode materials on the overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) fabricated on silicon substrates. We examined four distinct configurations using fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as bare cell, copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and highly p-doped silicon wafers as counter electrodes. The results indicate that the PSCs with Cu achieved the highest short-circuit current density (JSC) of 17.11 mA/cm2, while the p-doped silicon and aluminum showed lower JSC values of 16.19 mA/cm2 and 16.51 mA/cm2, respectively. Open-circuit voltage (VOC) values remained competitive across all cells, with FTO achieving a VOC of …

Enhancing Frequency Event Detection In Power Systems Using Two Optimization Methods With Variable Weighted Metrics, Hussain A. Alghamdi, Midrar A. Adham, Umar Farooq, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This research presents a novel technique that refines the performance of a frequency event detection algorithm with four adjustable parameters based on signal processing and statistical methods. The algorithm parameters were optimized using two well-established optimization techniques: Grey Wolf Optimization and Particle Swarm Optimization. Unlike conventional approaches that apply equally weighted metrics within the objective function, this work implements variable weighted metrics that prioritize specificity, thereby strengthening detection accuracy by minimizing false-positive events. Realistic small- and large-scale frequency datasets were processed and analyzed, incorporating various events, quasi-events, and non-events obtained from a phasor measurement unit in the Western Interconnection. An …

How Can The Adoption Of Biodegradable Packaging In The Beverage Industry Specifically Contribute To Reducing Single-Use Plastic Waste, And What Regulatory Or Cost-Related Challenges Hinder Its Widespread Implementation In Developing Countries?, Rebecca Aba Gaisie

2025 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents

This research investigates the potential of biodegradable packaging to reduce single-use plastic waste in the beverage industry and explores the regulatory and cost-related barriers to its adoption in developing countries. The beverage sector is a major contributor to global plastic pollution, and biodegradable alternatives offer a promising path toward sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative interviews with industry experts and case studies of businesses implementing biodegradable solutions, alongside quantitative survey data from 100 manufacturers and 200 consumers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Findings reveal that while biodegradable packaging significantly reduces plastic waste and appeals to environmentally …

Subsurface Heatwaves In Lakes, R. Iestyn Woolway, Miraj Kayastha, Yan Tong, Lian Feng, Haoran Shi, Pengfei Xue

Michigan Tech Publications

Lake heatwaves (extreme hot water events) can substantially disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Although surface heatwaves are well studied, their vertical structures within lakes remain largely unexplored. Here we analyse the characteristics of subsurface lake heatwaves (extreme hot events occurring below the surface) using a spatiotemporal modelling framework. Our findings reveal that subsurface heatwaves are frequent, often longer lasting but less intense than surface events. Deep-water heatwaves (bottom heatwaves) have increased in frequency (7.2 days decade−1), duration (2.1 days decade−1) and intensity (0.2 °C days decade−1) over the past 40 years. Moreover, vertically compounding heatwaves, where extreme heat occurs simultaneously at the …

Utilizing Machine Learning To Predict The Charge Storage Capability Of Lithium-Ion Battery Materials, Manoj Chhetri, Karen S. Martirosyan

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

With the increasing demand for high-performance batteries in applications such as electric vehicles and portable electronics, accurately predicting the charge storage capacity of battery materials is crucial for developing more efficient and reliable energy storage systems. Machine Learning (ML) and data-driven approaches, plays a vital role in enhancing our understanding of Li-ion battery performance, guiding materials design, optimizing system efficiency, and accelerating innovation in energy storage technologies. In this study, an ML-based approach was applied to a dataset of 2345 rechargeable Li-ion battery materials, obtained from the Materials Project online portal, to predict gravimetric charge storage capacity ─ a key …

Investigation Of Surface Quality And Productivity In Precision Hard Turning Of Aisi 4340 Steel Using Integrated Approach Of Ml-Moora-Pso, Adel T. Abbas, Neeraj Sharma, Khalid Alqusaibi, Mohamed Abbas, Rakesh Sharma, Ahmed Elkaseer

Mechanical Engineering

AISI 4340 steel has applications in gun barrels, where the surface quality of the barrel is the prime factor. This study explores the application of a machine learning (ML) approach to optimize the precision turning of an AISI 4340 steel alloy using both conventional and wiper tool nose inserts under varying cutting parameters, such as cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate. The analytical framework integrates experimental machining data with computational algorithms to predict key output parameters: surface roughness (Ra) and material removal rate (MRR). A Multi-Objective Optimization based on Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method is used for data normalization. …

Sustained Release Of Antifibrotic Nintedanib From Polymer Microparticles Reduces Dosing Frequency While Reducing Inflammation In Murine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emmanuel Einyat Opolot, Filip Goshevski, Rahul Chaudhary, Horst A. Von Recum, Amar B. Desai

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening, progressive lung disease with limited therapeutic options, often resulting in poor patient outcomes. Current treatments, such as Nintedanib (NTB) and Pirfenidone (PFD), require frequent administration, leading to adverse effects and low patient adherence. The purpose of this study was to investigate a sustained-release drug delivery system utilizing microparticles (MPs) composed of insoluble beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers to enhance the bioavailability and extend the release of NTB and PFD. Methods: A multidisciplinary approach, including in silico modeling, in vitro assays, and in vivo studies, was employed to assess the efficacy of β-CD-polymer MPs as …

Average Biomechanical Responses Of The Human Brain Grouped By Age And Sex, Ahmed A. Alshareef, Aaron Carass, Yaun-Chiao Lu, Joy Mojumder, Alexa M. Diano, Olivia M. Bailey, Ruth J. Okamoto, Dzung L. Pham, Jerry L. Prince, Philip V. Bayly, Curtis L. Johnson

Faculty Publications

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur from rapid head motion that results in brain deformation. Computational models are typically used to estimate brain deformation to predict risk of injury and evaluate the effectiveness of safety countermeasures. The accuracy of these models relies on validation to experimental brain deformation data. In this study, we create the first group-average biomechanical responses of the brain, including structure, material properties, and deformation response, by age and sex from 157 subjects. Subjects were sorted intro three age groups—young, mid-age, and older—and by sex to create group-average neuroanatomy, material properties, and brain deformation response to non-injurious loading …

Bio-Inspired Highest Lift-To-Drag-Ratio Fin Shape And Angle For Maximum Surfboard Stability: Flow Around Fish Fins, Megan S. Macneill, Brian Barkdoll

Michigan Tech Publications

Wave surfing is a multi-billion dollar industry involving both maneuverability and speed, yet little research has been performed regarding the highest lift-to-drag-ratio fin shape for these competing qualities. Numerical modeling and laboratory experiments were performed here to identify a bio-inspired fin shape that maximized lateral stability and minimized drag forces, in order to increase surfing maneuverability. Nine fins based on dorsal fins of real fish were tested. Both the CFD and laboratory experiments confirmed that the fin of the same shape as that of the Short-Finned Pilot Whale at an angle of attack of 10° had the greatest lift-to-drag ratios. …

Effects Of Wetting Events On Mass Timber Surface Microbial Communities And Voc Emissions: Implications For Building Operation And Occupant Well-Being, Gwynne Á. Mhuireach, Susan Collins, Leslie Dietz, Patrick Finn Horve, Aurélie Laguerre, Dale Northcutt, Jason Stenson, Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, Elliott Gall, Mark Fretz

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

IntroductionHumans have used wood as a construction material throughout history. Currently, mass timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), are becoming more popular as a structural material, since they are renewable and have a lower carbon footprint than concrete or steel. Nonetheless, some building types, such as healthcare, veterinary, and food manufacturing, avoid using structural mass timber due to concerns about microbial growth in the event of wetting. One solution is to use protective coatings on mass timber products to increase moisture resistance, although the coatings themselves may generate concerns about volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Natural uncoated wood also …

Multiple, Not Single, Recipient Muscle Tendon Transfers Produce Well-Coordinated Thumb-Tip Movement In Lateral Pinch Grasp: A Simulation Study With Application To Restoration Of Improved Grasp After Tetraplegia, Cole Smith , '23, Joseph D. Towles

Engineering Faculty Works

Introduction: Tendon transfer surgeries that engage the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) muscle are commonly performed to enable lateral pinch grasp in persons with tetraplegia. Functional outcomes, however, have been mixed. This may be the case, in part, because the FPL produces hyperflexion at the interphalangeal (IP) joint and radial deviation at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Therefore, the goal of this simulation study was to investigate whether small groups of muscles could produce movement with less IP joint hyperflexion and CMC joint ab/adduction than the FPL produces during lateral pinch grasp. Methods: We adapted a published, open-source computational musculoskeletal model of …

Examining Physiological Responses To Misophonic Triggers, Christian O'Reilly, Xuan Yang, Sewon Oh, Doug Wedell, Svetlana Shinkareva

Faculty Publications

We collected and analyzed an array of biosignals (face electromyogram, skin electrodermal activity, peripheral temperature, and electrocardiogram) in 60 participants with and without misophonia, a condition characterized by decreased tolerance to innocuous sounds. Our goal was to objectively characterize the physiological response to misophonia triggering sounds. We found that misophonic responses can be objectively identified in some cases through atypical physiological reactions to triggering stimuli, though not all participants exhibited this response. Our analyses suggest a large interindividual variability in response to misophonic triggers and highlights the need for methodological adjustments in future experiments to increase the detectability of misophonic …