Biology EE

[negativefx14]

So, I've been looking for a good cheap project I could do, and I believe I have finally come across an experiment... well, an idea. I've decided to use binaural beats, but am unable to construct a structured experiment. I originally figured I would just find a commercially sold binaural beat product and test it's authenticity by checking it's effects on the human body, but the experiment doesn't seem very good in my opinion... I've been looking into the effects of the different wave types created by binaural beats, and was thinking about centralizing my experiment around one kind of binaural beat and one bodily effect, and testing for the effect on the body.

So, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas, tips, or suggestions that would be of some help to me.

Thank you

[mith]

biaural means two channels, you can check it's authenticity by listening to it...

so yes it's a terrible experiment if you're measuring authenticity or if there's bodily effect...since you're listening to "biaural" sounds all the time.

[negativefx14]

Uhm, that is not exactly what I was trying to say... I was talking about binaural beats, which is when there would be 500Hz in one ear, while the other ear receives 520Hz, the difference being 20Hz would cause the one listening to the beats, to experience Beta waves, causing the listener to experience busy or anxious thinking and active concentration, arousal, and cognition.

Also, I'm not proving authenticity of the event, I am proving the authenticity of a commercially sold product, which I have figured is a bit lame... so I have ruled this out.

But I am asking for advice on something I would be able to test for...

[negativefx14]

Also, you hear different Binaural beats all the time, but I was going to use specific binaural beats as the control group.

If I am way off base, tell me. And if it is, could anyone hint me in a direction where I could use something similar to this idea as an experiment.

[MichaelXY]

Pardon me for saying, but I am not quite sure what you are asking here. Are you saying you wish to validate an existing design through test? All I can think of here is validating the hardware which should not be too hard as you can use scopes and freq counters to verify the hardware functions as claimed. As far as the effect on humans I have no idea how you could proceed.

Or are you asking how you could build such a device that puts 500Hz in one ear and 520Hz in the other. This can be done many ways depending on your budget and access to equipment. Simplest way would be two good quality function generators and a audio mixer board, where you can route L/R signals based on inputs. I suppose amplitude would be of concern, and to be honest hearing calibration is a science that is beyond me, but when I worked for a cellular company, we hired a group of specialist to teach us how to test audio levels coming out of the phones. The equipment was quite costly.

If you wish to take an much cheaper route, there are function gen chips available which allow you to build your own sinewave gens. You would need x2 circuit. Here is a data sheet for one I know is around.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/XR2206V1.PDF

The device can produce fairly good results with proper layout, and high quality parts.

With that said, you could inject audio levels of say -20 dBm into a 8 ohm headphone and make a good aproximation.

Perhaps I just don't quite understand what you are after. Sorry, I am not always quick to pick up on things

Let me know if I am way off base here, and I am sorry if I missed the mark...

[negativefx14]

Basically, I was planning on taking http://www.i-doser.com/ products, and a pair of audio-technica headphones and testing the product. Which I've come to realize is a poor experiment. I was being pushed for a EE topic in my Biology class, and I in return put forth a very generic thesis statement which would allow me to have room to figure out an experiment. I originally chose this topic because I was recently working with the product and figured somewhere down the line a decent experiment would show itself. Another reason for the topic was due to funds, for every experiment I would come to think of, I would need a lot more than what my high school lab could produce.

I originally based my experiment on the simple concept of "if you give someone this drug, this will happen," and sense I'm pretty sure it's illegal to do such a thing, I figured using sound produced drugs would suffice.

I've been searching for some sort of muse that will help get an experiment off the floor, but I always seem to hit a dead end...

[MichaelXY]

When I see EE I think electrical engineering. Perhaps if you can explain your project requirements, someone may be able to help you brainstorm. For example, when you say EE, do you need to combine bio and EE. What level of EE work is needed?

[mith]

extended essay

[MichaelXY]

Now don't I feel like a dope

[negativefx14]

Haha, yes, it's an extended essay, thank you Mith. Basically, it is a 4 thousand word essay, of which requires me to create a lab, to complete the lab, and write about the topic.