Biometric Campfire and It's a Kind of the Art That We're Working On

Alan Macy is currently the Research and Development Director, past President and a founder of BIOPAC Systems, Inc. He designs data collection and analysis systems, used by researchers in the life sciences, that help identify meaningful interpretations from signals produced by life processes. Trained in electrical engineering and physiology, with over 30 years of product development experience, he is currently focusing on psychophysiology, emotional and motivational state measurements, magnetic resonance imaging and augmented/virtual reality implementations. He presents in the areas of human-computer interfaces, electrophysiology, and telecommunications. His recent research and artistic efforts explore ideas of human nervous system extension and the associated impacts upon perception. As an applied science artist, he specializes in the creation of cybernated art, interactive sculpture and environments.

Currently, Macy’s primary project development efforts are focused on the areas of multi-channel physiological measurement, digital wireless transmission systems and new sensor development. He has been active in clothing design to support ergonomic methods for ambulatory physiological measurement along with the associated investigated use of “smart” materials, such as conductive fabrics and other textiles that can be employed as flexible and compatible transducers.

Macy is involved in the development of new products for the purposes of recording physiological variables in the Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI) and functional MRI and during virtual reality (VR) sessions. He has developed amplifiers and signal processing methods to remove artifact from biopotential signals recorded in the MRI. In the area of VR, he has been focusing effort on implementation methods to monitor physiological variables during VR protocols and then employ algorithmic results, from these variables, to modify the VR subject experience.

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