Engineers Can Read Your Mind

This resource, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allows students to investigate the wide range of sophisticated imaging technology available in modern hospitals, and to explore the latest ideas in search-and-rescue robotics.

The activity encourages students to think about new technologies and how difficult it is to predict their future development and application. The handout 'Reading Minds' is an introduction on how the engineering field of biomedical signal processing is helping doctors understand the brain and treat patients.

The 'Mind Scanner' challenge is an extension activity that allows students to do a bit of future gazing. The challenge looks at how future compact mind scanner technology could be used and by whom - considering both ethical and economic issues.

The use of different types of signals is hugely important in all areas of healthcare. Signal processing engineers are involved in everything from extracting information from the body’s own electrical and chemical signals to using wireless signals to allow search-and-rescue robot swarms to communicate with each other.

TThe activity is supported by other resources in the Brainwaves collection which look at signals and imaging in healthcare, and the videos Mind mapping and Mind Control.

Curriculum links include the electromagnetic spectrum, medical physics, brain scans and the applications and implications of science.