Facilities

State-of-the-art facilities for psychology research

The Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour are housed in the £25.5 million Tom Reilly Building.

Dedicated facilities available to researchers include:

  • eight general-purpose laboratories
  • EEG laboratory
  • psychophysiology laboratory
  • appetite research laboratory
  • neuroscience microneurography laboratory
  • twelve experimental testing booths
  • a sleep-over rest room

Shared facilities include two additional computer suites, a sleep/circadian rhythm laboratory and a range of other specialised laboratory facilities (e.g. motor skills, psychophysiology and general physiology, biomechanics). Further shared facilities within the Faculty of Science include a physiology laboratory and environmental chambers.

Faq Items

Human Performance Laboratory

  • The psychology testing booths have five BioPac MP30 Student Lab units with dedicated PCs and BioPac software. The BioPac equipment is fully mobile to allow for more flexible use in other areas
  • Other psychology testing apparatus available includes: Rotor Pursuit, Mirror Trace, Mind Mirror

Neuroscience/Microneurography Laboratory

  • An observation window viewable from a small side control room, which in turn has a networked PC
  • The Neuroscience Lab is equipped for somatosensory psychophysics – using the Medoc Pathway Pain & Thermal Sensory Evaluation System – and a tactile psychophysics capability is being developed for research into sensory and emotional touch. Via the Pain Research Institute in Liverpool, there is access to the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system for pain research collaborations.

EEG Laboratory

  • Faraday Cage and CCTV for participant monitoring and independent intercom system
  • One 128-channel, two 64-channel and one 32-channel EEG systems. Matlab 7.0 software
  • AD Instruments ‘PowerLab’ and ‘MacLab’ set-ups on trolleys allow dedicated general purpose physiological measurements with associated software (EMG, EEG, ECG, GSR, blood flow, air flow, breathing rate, Chart 4.0 Analysis)

Psychophysiology Laboratories

  • The two BioPac MP150 networkable workstations include: data acquisition units, electroencephalogram amplifiers, electromyogram amplifiers, monitoring modules, GSR transducer sets, electro-oculogram amplifier and evoked response equipment
  • One 32 channel and one 64 channel BioSemi EEG measuring and recording rig, including dedicated computers. These are expandable to 256 channels, should the extra facilities be necessary
  • Enobio wireless EEG/ECG/EOG system
  • fNIR system – monitors tissue oxygenation in the brain
  • FaceLab software – eye tracking and facial recognition
  • Wall-mounted large screen TV with attached Sony Playstation 3 for research into computer games. Nintendo Wii consoles are also available.

Driving Simulator

  • STI Model v2.08.04 system and software (driver console with steering wheel, brake, clutch and accelerator pedals, and a tester console with programming monitor)
  • Simulations can be tailored to the requirements of the study and monitored in ‘real-time’

Appetite Research Laboratory

  • Fully equipped food preparation kitchen which includes a testing area equipped with a multimedia PC and independent intercom system connected to the kitchen
  • Two testing rooms include fitted universal eating monitors (SIPM software)

Psychology Experiment Generation Software

  • Cedrus SuperLab v2.0 and SuperLab v4.0 Psychology experiment development software
  • Psychology Software Tools E-Prime v2.0 experiment generation software and E-Prime for testing and data collection
  • Inquisit by millisecond, which is used in conjunction with the 64 channel biosemi EEG electrodes and fNIR
  • Automated Working Memory Assessment – computerised working memory test battery for children
  • Focus II – observation methods software
  • Sound Forge 10.0 – sound production and analysis software

Other equipment and resources available

  • Black Box Tool Kit – precision timing measuring equipment, used for the accurate setup and calibration of computer-based experiment software, response timing and visual and audio presentation
  • Two universal eating monitors for use in appetite research, includes two Sartorius Cubis balances and readout monitors
  • 12 Camntech Pro-Diary wrist-worn subjective participant diary and associated software
  • QBuilder software for nutrition questionnaire and food diary development, and nutrient intake analysis
  • Three Dinamap hospital standard blood pressure monitors
  • T-Scopes – 2 field (x6), 3 field (x2), and projecting 3 field (x1) versions
  • 30 Actiwatch ‘sleep activity’ recorders and dedicated PC software for data download
  • Vital Sense monitors for measuring core body temperature
  • A range of video cameras, audio recorders and transcriber units
  • An Oxford Medelec Profile ambulatory sleep acquisition and analysis system is also available for conducting sleep projects
  • 8 Channel MRI compatible olfactomer, comprising 8 meter flow array and mass flow sensor with display
  • Temperature controlled cold pressor water bath with incorporated ice making machine

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