Open-MAC Commutator

Founding developers Dennis Kätzel and Sampath Kapanaiah

Accessories for Open-MAC Commutator

Founding developers Dennis Kätzel and Sampath Kapanaiah

Dennis Kätzel and Sampath Kapanaiah are at Ulm University where Dennis Kätzel is professor of neurophysiology and specializes in translational psychiatry, with a particular emphasis on schizophrenia and ADHD. This work involves investigating cognitive functions in mice using a variety of tools, including electrophysiological recording and neural circuit modulation. The lab is very keen on making their hardware developments open source tools that become available to the community.


The Open-MAC is a low-torque, Motorized All-in-one Commutator. Operates in torque-based mode with minimal audible noise due to its dual magnetic Hall sensors. Accommodates 128-256 recording channels for electrophysiology and miniature endoscope (miniscope) applications.

EXPERIMENTAL CAPABILITIES

  • Endless rotation
  • Usable in different configurations:
    1. Electrophysiology 12-channel SPI (128 recording channels)
    2. Miniscope only
    3. Electrophysiology 12-channel SPI (128 recording channels) and Miniscope

KEY FEATURES

  • Low-torque and smooth motorized commutator relying to dual hall sensors
  • Powered by a USB-C or DC power supply (5-12 V, 300 mA rating)
  • Onboard microcontroller (XIAO SAMD21 or ESPC32)
  • Arduino-based code

CONTENTS 

  • Fully assembled commutator for electrophysiology 12-channel SPI and miniscope
  • USB-C cable

FULFILLMENT

Shipped 4-6 weeks after order is received.

PUBLICATION

SKT Kapanaiah, D Kätzel (2023). Open-MAC: A low-cost open-source motorized commutator for electro- and opto-physiological recordings in freely moving rodents. HardwareX.

Documentation Source Code


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