Thursday, 11 July 2019
The University of Nottingham has received a £2.3M grant to develop its ground-breaking research into wearable functional brain imaging, as part of a new wave of funding that has been announced by the Government today for research into quantum technologies.
The announcement means that the UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing, led by the University of Birmingham, with the University of Nottingham as a key partner, can continue its fundamental research and development of quantum sensors for real-world applications.
Lightweight and moveable
Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Physics and Astronomy, the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, and the Centre for Additive Manufacturing, will be developing this new generation of brain scanners, refining the technology to make it accessible both for neuroscientific research, and in a clinical setting as a diagnostic tool for management of serious neurological conditions, for example, epilepsy.
The new type of brain scanner uses ‘quantum’ sensors that measure the tiny magnetic fields produced by brain function, a process known as magnetoencephalography (or MEG for short). It enables an effective measure of brain activity as our brains undertake mental tasks. Unlike previous systems (which weigh >0.5 Tonne and operate at liquid cryogen temperatures), the quantum sensors are very light in weight and work at body temperature, meaning they can be placed directly onto the scalp surface in a helmet. Positioning the sensors close to the brain increases the amount of signal that they can pick up compared with previous technology for this sort of brain mapping. Moreover, the ability to position sensors anywhere makes the technology easily adaptable to any subject, making it ideal for use in children.
The light-weight nature of the new scanner also means that, for the first time, subjects can move their heads during the scanning. However, the quantum sensors will only operate in this way when the Earth’s magnetic field has been reduced by a factor of around 50,000. To solve this problem, the research team are developing special electromagnetic coils, which cancel the Earth’s field around the scanner.
Refining for the real world
The Nottingham team will be working closely with Strathclyde University and industry partners in the UK and the USA to further develop the brain imaging system. The research will involve novel designs of quantum sensors, new techniques for precise magnetic field control, and optimised sensor array fabrication to maximise sensitivity. By combining these areas, the researchers believe they will be able to image human brain function, even in babies and children, with millimetre precision. This new technology will enable epileptic networks in the brain to be pinpointed, and will find application in a number of important clinical areas, ranging from severe mental heath disorders like schizophrenia to measurement of effects such as cortical "slowing" in dementia. They will also be refining the magnetic shielding system required for the new scanner, exploring more lightweight and cost-effective solutions. These shielding solutions will also be used to enhance the performance of the quantum sensors themselves for applications in geo-physical survey and security.
We have come a long way in designing an effective wearable brain imaging system, the challenge now is to expand this prototype, realising the theoretical benefits such as high sensitivity and spatial resolution, and refining the system design and fabrication to allow it to be used in clinical settings. We are delighted to have been awarded this funding, which will allow us to do this.
Professor Kai Bongs, Principal Investigator for the UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing, spoke about how the new funding will maximise the potential of industry collaborations:
“We are delighted that the government is maintaining its commitment to the exploitation of quantum technology in the UK. This new funding will build on the enormous momentum we have already created.
“Our Birmingham-led hub for Sensors and Timing will be focusing on applications in Geo-Physics, Navigation, Brain Imaging and Precision Timing, each of which has the potential to create significant economic and societal benefit.”
The second phase of the Quantum Technology Hub will see further research in collaboration with Universities of Glasgow, Imperial, Nottingham, Southampton, Strathclyde and Sussex, the British Geological Survey and over 200 participating industry partners. Particular areas of focus will magnetometry, geophysics, navigation, timing and underpinning technology."
Story credits
More information on the is available from Jane Icke or Lindsay Brooke Media Relations Managers for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 951 5751 jane.icke@nottingham.ac.ukor lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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