Printed Sensing: Assessing 3D-Printed Electrodes for Measuring Electrodermal Activity

Electrodermal activity (EDA) reflects changes in skin conductance, closely tied to human psychological states. EDA sensors can assess stress, cognitive workload, arousal, and activity related to the parasympathetic nervous system used in various human-computer interaction applications. Yet, current limitations involve the complex attachment and proper skin contact with EDA sensors. This paper explores the novel concept of 3D printing electrodes for EDA measurements, potentially integrating sensors into arbitrary 3D printed objects, alleviating the need for complex assembly and attachment. We examine the adaptation of conventional EDA circuits for 3D-printed electrodes, assessing different electrode shapes and their impact on the sensing accuracy. A user study (N=6) revealed that 3D-printed electrodes can measure EDA with similar accuracy while recommending larger contact areas for improved precision. We discuss design implications to facilitate EDA sensor integration into 3D-printed devices, fostering a diverse integration into everyday items using consumer-grade 3D printers for physiological interface prototyping.