Active Commutator

Thomas Akam, from the University of Oxford, has developed an open-source active commutator designed to simplify one critical challenge of electrophysiology. This device addresses the common issue of tether tangling during experiments with freely moving subjects. The commutator relies on a Hall-Effect sensor detecting the rotation of the cable, this information is continuously fed to an Adafruit microcontroller that operates a servo motor to counter-rotate the cable as needed, preventing twisting and ensuring clear, uninterrupted data collection. The system can also be paused, restarted, and its neutral position recalibrated with simple button presses, allowing for flexible operation. This accessible tool provides a robust solution for maintaining tether integrity in dynamic experimental setups, making electrophysiology more efficient for labs to replicate and adapt. 

This research tool was created by your colleagues. Please acknowledge the Principal Investigator, cite the article in which the tool was described, and include an RRID in the Materials and Methods of your future publications. RRID:SCR_027098