High-conductivity electrode paste is used in obtaining accurate skin resistance or skin potential measurements. The paste is isotonic to perspiration, is nonirritating and nonsensitizing, and has an extended shelf life

Day, J. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

February 1966
	 Brief 66-10049 
S	
NASA TECH BRIEF 
- 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Improved Electrode Paste Provides Reliable Measurement of Galvanic 
Skin Response 
The problem: 
To develop an improved electrode paste for use 
in obtaining accurate skin resistance or skin potential 
measurements. Commonly used electrode pastes with 
ionic concentrations appreciably different from those 
of perspiration cause a concentration potential and 
gradient to be set up. Pastes with high salt content 
will traumatize the skin as well and cause deterioration 
of the electrodes. 
The solution: 
A high-conductivity electrode paste that will not 
alter skin characteristics. The paste is isotonic to 
perspiration, is nonirritating and nonsensitizing, and 
has an extended shelf life. 
How it's done: 
The electrode paste is prepared by blending 1 gram 
of methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate and 1 gram of propyl-
p-hydroxybenzoate in 1 liter of deionized water, dis-
solving 5.8 grams of sodium chloride in this blend, 
and then slowly adding and thoroughly mixing in 60 
grams of hydroxyethylcellulose. The pH of the re-
sultant paste is adjusted to 7.0 ± 0. 1, using 6N sodium 
hydroxide or hydrochloric acid. The proportions given 
yield approximately one liter of paste. Plastic-coated 
beaters and containers should be used for preparing 
the paste.
Notes: 
1. This paste is suitable for work in which the base-
line membrane potential or membrane permea-
bility is being measured for use as a reference to 
determine emotional response or level of alert-
ness and should be of interest to clinical or re-
search groups measuring psychophysiological 
reactions. 
2. Related innovations are described in NASA Tech 
Briefs 64-10025, May 1964 and 65-10015, Jan-
uary 1965. Inquiries may also be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
P.O. Box 1537 
Houston, Texas, 77001 
Reference: B66-10049 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commer-
cial use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
AGP, Washington, D.C., 20546.
Source: J. L. Day 
(MSC-146) 
Category 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000049 2020-03-11T17:33:26+00:00Z


Improved electrode paste provides reliable measurement of galvanic skin response

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server