Nottingham University scientists receive IOP award for wearable brain scanner

Elena Boto, Ryan Hill and Niall Holmes from the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy have been awarded the Clifford Paterson Medal from the Institute of Physics (IOP) in recognition of their work on a wearable, lightweight brain imaging technology that can provide images of human brain function with unprecedented accuracy, even whilst the patient is moving.

The team, which has worked on the project since 2015, has pioneered the rapid development of this new scanner, which employs quantum enabled sensors to measure magnetic fields above the scalp (a process termed magnetoencephalography (MEG)).

According to the University, the team used small, lightweight optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), which employ the fundamental quantum physics of atoms to measure the neuromagnetic field. The team were able to incorporate these sensors into a novel scanner design that can be worn as a helmet allowing people to move freely. The system can be adapted to anyone, and sensors can be placed much closer to the head, which enhances data quality. OPM-MEG is also said to be cheaper than conventional scanners.