Embedded electronics for a mussel-based biological sensor

Previous researchers have used freshwater mussels as biological sensors by monitoring the rhythmic opening and closing of their valve (gape). However, these mussels were tethered. Our goal is to use mussels as untethered sensors. Here we describe the Hall-effect sensing, and wireless communication electronics that are housed in a mussel backpack. We present experimental results demonstrating that one can measure untethered mussels' gape for extended periods.