GSR experiments

30/06/2025

The Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor is an amazing sensor that enables us to measure human body response to stimulations like touch, smell, sight, sound or emotion conditions like stress, excitement, fear etc.

A short video describing how the GSR is connected and works.

The GSR sensor set includes the following:

• BLT-202 USB/Bluetooth communication module
• NUL-217 GSR logger sensor

With the GSR set and Emotional stress measurement experiment you can:

• Understand the fight or flight response.
• Examine how stimulation of the human system (by touch, smell, sight or sound) causes the sweat glands in the hand to secrete sweat.
• Understand the principles of a polygraph (lie detector).
• Explore the concept of biofeedback.
• Understand Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) using GSR.

With the GSR set and Sense of touch experiment you can:

• To understand that the skin is the largest sensory organ in the body.
• Explore how the skin detects touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.
• Identify which parts of the body are the most sensitive to touch.
• To recognize that fingers, lips, genitals, and toes are among the most sensitive areas of the body.

Emotional and sensory stimulation triggers sweat production.
The GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) logger sensor measures sweat secretion from the sweat glands in the hand. When stimulation occurs, sweat levels increase, leading to higher skin conductivity.

These lesson plans can be found in Biology experiment page in this site.

* These experiments are based on Morris Tischler’s book ‘Concepts of Biotechnology’.

The fight-or-flight response is activated in reaction to an acute threat, preparing the body to either react or retreat.

When a threat is perceived, the sympathetic nervous system (a part of the autonomic nervous system) is activated, releasing the hormones noradrenaline and adrenaline.

These hormones bind to adrenergic receptors on peripheral tissues, causing:

• Pupil dilation
• Increased heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure
• Faster breathing
• Increased sweat production

Sweating helps the body dissipate excess heat generated by increased muscle activity.

GSR measurement is a key component of a Polygraph (lie detector). Lying induces a stress response, which is reflected in physiological changes.

GSR is also a simple yet powerful tool for analyzing physiological responses in biofeedback therapy.

Biofeedback is a technique that increases awareness of physiological functions using electronic monitoring, allowing individuals to learn how to control bodily responses voluntarily.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a guided exercise where individuals follow instructions to regulate breathing and focus on different muscle groups.

Within 30 to 45 minutes, PMR can induce full-body relaxation, increase blood flow and reduce stress and headaches.

A typical GSR graph during PMR relaxation shows a decrease in skin conductivity, which means reducing stress.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) presents individuals with computer-generated simulations of their feared environments, allowing them to encounter controlled phobic triggers.

VRET is a well-established treatment for phobias, such as: Claustrophobia, Arachnophobia, Cynophobia, Acrophobia, etc.

A typical GSR graph during VRET shows fluctuations in skin conductivity:

In the HB1 experiment, you will observe how humans react to emotional stimulation. You will measure sweat secretion in response to different stimuli and record the changes over time. You will exercise lie detecting and have a PMR script to practice.

THE SKIN AS a Sensory Organ

The skin is our largest sensory organ in the human body, covering its entire surface. The skin contains a variety of nerve endings that are highly responsive to pressure, pain, and temperature changes (hot or cold).

The skin is sensitive to several types of stimulation:

1. Touch
2. Pressure
3. Cold
4. Heat
5. Pain

The fingers contain up to 800 nerve endings per square centimeter (1 cm x 1 cm). The following figure illustrates the areas of greatest sensitivity in the hand.

In the Sense of touch experiment, you will check which are the most and least sensitive parts of the body.

GSR Measurement ranges:

The NUL-217 NeuLog GSR logger sensor has two measurement modes: ɥS (micro-Siemens) and Arb (arbitrary units).

• The µS range measures absolute conductivity in microSiemens, which varies between individuals.
• The Arb range amplifies changes in conductivity, making it more useful for detecting relative responses.

When a person’s baseline conductivity is high, small changes may not be easily detected.

Therefore, Arb mode is preferred when tracking changes is more important than measuring absolute values, such as in lie detection experiments.

Neuron Logger Sensors

14/05/2025

Sensors play a major role in science laboratories when conducting experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences.

The NeuLog Logger-sensor is a unique answer to compatibility with all computer platforms.

NeuLog sensors are logger-sensors.

Each sensor has a brain of a tiny computer that samples, processes and stores data.

The sensors may be plugged into one another to create a chain of sensors according to the required experiment.

A chain of logger-sensors needs only one Bluetooth/USB module in order to connect to any computer platform, either by wire (USB) or wirelessly (Bluetooth), using a single communication channel.

Logger-sensors received the experiment setup (duration, sampling rate, trigger) from the computer platform and then work independently. Although they work independently, for best sampling rate, the samples of the chain of sensors are synchronized.

The logger-sensors supply processed data (^oC, ^oF, Lux, dB, pH, etc.) to the receiving device and also store it in their flash memory.

A chain of logger-sensors needs only one battery module. 30 days of outdoor experiment data can be saved by a chain of logger-sensors.

Each logger-sensor can save up to 5 experiments in its flash memory. These experiments can be transferred to a computer at any time afterwards.

The Bluetooth/USB module has a built-in, very large capacity, rechargeable battery and it can also be used as a battery module for outdoor experiments.

Batteries and/or Bluetooth/USB modules are required for one lab according to the number of work stations it contains and not according to the number of sensors.

NeuLog Logger-sensors use one plug and play, simple to use, and multi-function software for all computer platforms.

Seamless Simplicity:
Built with You in Mind

NeuLog strips away complexity so you can dive straight into your experiments without a hitch. Here’s how we ensure that using NeuLog feels effortless:

• Instant Recognition, No Setup: Plug in your sensors, and NeuLog immediately identifies them. No calibration, any configuration—just connect and go.
• Universal Compatibility: Whether you’re using a PC, Mac, Linux system, iPad, tablet, or smartphone, NeuLog’s single software platform works seamlessly across most devices.
• Less to Manage: NeuLog keeps things simple and efficient. With a single Bluetooth/USB module, you can connect any combination of sensors to any computer platform.

With NeuLog, you spend less time troubleshooting and more time doing what you love: engaging with your students.

The Power of NeuLog:
Powerful Insights, Limitless Potential

While NeuLog is simple to use, it doesn’t compromise on robust capabilities. From data collection to in-depth analysis, NeuLog empowers users with professional-grade features:

• On-the-Go Memory: Each sensor is equipped with built-in flash memory for outdoor experiments.
• Effortless Connectivity: NeuLog simplifies communication through a single Bluetooth/USB module, ensuring that your focus stays on the experiment—not on troubleshooting connections.
• Data, Your Way: Visualize experiment results in the format that works best for you—Graph, Table, Dots, Area, or Grid views. It’s all about seeing the story behind the data.
• Advanced Built-in Analysis: Perform advanced mathematical manipulations and analysis directly within the software. There’s no need to rely on external tools to extract meaningful conclusions.

By balancing simplicity with sophisticated tools, NeuLog is your partner in creating a seamless journey from observation to discovery.

NeuLog Recommended Sets:
Tailored Solution for Every Experiment

Whether you’re working in a classroom, a laboratory, or out in the field, NeuLog sets are curated to ensure you have everything you need to start exploring right away.

Recommended Sets by Subject:

• Physics: Mechanics, electricity, sound, light, heat, and more.
• Biology: Human body, photosynthesis, ecosystems, and other life science studies.
• Chemistry: Producing electricity, ions in solution, acid rain, titration, distillation, and more.
• Environment: Sea water properties, air pressure and altitude, dew point, Raleigh scattering, GPS, temperature, humidity, and more.

Recommended Sets by School Level:

• Elementary: Simplified sets for introductory experiments that spark curiosity.
• High School: Advanced sets for deeper exploration of scientific concepts.
• Higher Education and Research: Comprehensive sets designed for complex, multi-variable experiments.

Why Choose a NeuLog Set?

• Curated for Simplicity: Each set includes all the essential sensors and tools to get started quickly, without worrying about compatibility or missing components.
• Versatility for Any Project: From basic science experiments to advanced research, there’s a set designed to fit your goals.
• Mix and Match – Your Experiment, Your Way: NeuLog sensors are sold individually or as part of a set, so you can select exactly what you need—no more, no less.
• Future-Ready: As your needs evolve, NeuLog sets are modular and expandable, allowing you to add new sensors without replacing your entire setup.