The Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics at the University of Malta (UOM) required an advanced EEG acquisition system capable of simultaneous multi-subject recording for their expanding social neuroscience research program. NEUROSPEC provided a comprehensive ActiveTwo Hyperscanning solution, transforming their existing BioSemi ActiveTwo system into a powerful multi-participant EEG recording platform.

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Technical Challenge

The research team at UOM needed to conduct EEG hyperscanning experiments involving simultaneous EEG recording from multiple participants to investigate social cognition, interpersonal neural synchrony, and collaborative behavior. Their existing single-unit BioSemi ActiveTwo system, while excellent for individual participant studies, lacked the capability for synchronized multi-subject data acquisition required for advanced social neuroscience research.

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BioSemi ActiveTwo: Technical Specifications and Advantages

The BioSemi ActiveTwo represents the gold standard in high-density EEG acquisition systems, offering unparalleled technical specifications for research applications.

Core Technical Features:

• 24-bit ADC resolution with exceptional dynamic range for precise signal capture
• DC-coupled amplifiers eliminating high-pass filtering artifacts
• Active electrode technology providing superior signal-to-noise ratio and reduced susceptibility to environmental interference
• Sampling rates up to 16 kHz enabling high-temporal resolution recordings
• Low system noise (<1 μV RMS) ensuring optimal signal quality
• Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) >120 dB at 50/60 Hz for effective artifact suppression
• Input impedance >10^12 Ω minimizing electrode-skin interface requirements

Research Applications:

• High-density EEG recording (up to 256 channels per system)
• Event-related potential (ERP) studies
• Frequency domain analysis and spectral power investigations
• Time-frequency analysis for oscillatory brain activity
• Real-time neurofeedback applications

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BioSemi ActiveTwo: Gold Standard for Hyperscanning Research

NEUROSPEC recommended the ActiveTwo Hyperscan upgrade to address UOM's specific research requirements.

Technical Implementation:

• Synchronized data acquisition across multiple ActiveTwo systems using shared clock reference
• Temporal precision with sub-millisecond synchronization accuracy
• Scalable architecture supporting up to 4 simultaneous participants
• Unified raw data stream integration for seamless multi-subject analysis
• Real-time monitoring capabilities across all acquisition channels

Research Advantages:

• Investigation of interpersonal neural coupling and brain-to-brain synchrony
• Analysis of leader-follower dynamics in collaborative tasks
• Examination of empathy and social cognition neural mechanisms
• Study of communication and joint attention processes
• Hyperscanning-based neurofeedback paradigms

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Why NEUROSPEC Recommended ActiveTwo for UOM

NEUROSPEC recommended the ActiveTwo platform for the University of Malta's hyperscanning research based on several critical technical advantages:

1. Proven Hyperscanning Reliability: The ActiveTwo's fiber optic synchronization system represents the most reliable method for multi-participant EEG synchronization, with demonstrated accuracy in hyperscanning research applications worldwide.
2. Active Electrode Advantages: The integrated pre-amplification eliminates the primary source of artifacts in multi-participant recordings - cable movement and electrical interference between participants during interactive tasks.
3. Scalable Architecture: The modular design enables future expansion to additional participants without system redesign, supporting the research group's long-term experimental goals.
4. Data Quality Consistency: The 24-bit ADC resolution and DC-coupled architecture ensure consistent signal quality across all participants, critical for inter-brain coupling analysis requiring high temporal and amplitude precision.
5. Established Research Validation: The ActiveTwo platform has been extensively validated in hyperscanning research, with established analysis pipelines and processing methods specific to multi-participant EEG data.

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Implementation Results

The successful installation and commissioning of the ActiveTwo Hyperscan system has significantly enhanced UOM's research capabilities:

• Expanded Research Portfolio: Enabled investigation of complex social neuroscience questions previously impossible with single-subject recording
• Enhanced Data Quality: Improved signal-to-noise ratio and synchronization accuracy for multi-participant studies
• Increased Research Efficiency: Simultaneous data collection from multiple participants reduces experiment time and improves statistical power
• Collaborative Research Opportunities: Positioned UOM as a leading center for hyperscanning research in the Mediterranean region

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Technical Support and Expertise

NEUROSPEC's comprehensive technical support throughout the upgrade process included:

• Pre-installation system optimization and configuration
• On-site installation and commissioning by certified technicians
• Comprehensive training on hyperscanning methodologies and best practices
• Ongoing technical support and software updates
• Integration with existing laboratory infrastructure and safety protocols

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First Research Publication and Future Developments

The University of Malta's Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics has successfully published their first research paper utilizing the upgraded ActiveTwo Hyperscan system, demonstrating the immediate research impact of NEUROSPEC's installation. This inaugural publication showcases the enhanced capabilities of their upgraded EEG acquisition system and validates the technical advantages of the hyperscanning configuration. The research team is currently expanding their studies to fully utilize the system's hyperscanning capabilities, with multiple multi-participant experiments planned for the near future.

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Conclusion

The successful implementation of the BioSemi ActiveTwo Hyperscan system at the University of Malta demonstrates NEUROSPEC's commitment to providing cutting-edge EEG acquisition solutions tailored to specific research requirements. This upgrade has positioned UOM's Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics at the forefront of social neuroscience research, enabling groundbreaking investigations into the neural mechanisms underlying human social interaction and collaboration.

For more information about BioSemi ActiveTwo systems and hyperscanning solutions, contact NEUROSPEC's technical specialists to discuss your research requirements and explore how our EEG acquisition systems can enhance your neuroscience research capabilities. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Read more about their research in A combined EEG motor and speech imagery paradigm with automated successive halving for customizable command selection.

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