New ultra-sensitive brain magnetometer for measuring brain signals in everyday settings
Official title: Development of Quantum Magnetic Tunneling Junction Sensor Arrays for Brain Magnetoencephalography (MEG) under Natural Settings
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11595727 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to create a highly sensitive, untethered brain-measuring device that can detect tiny brain signals in real-life situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $879,882 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3EB034695-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595727 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with neurological conditions or researchers seeking advanced brain-imaging in real-world settings.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without interest in advanced brain imaging could participate or benefit less directly.
What this research studies
Researchers at Brown University plan to build a quantum-based, solid-state magnetometer that can detect femtoTesla brain signals without a shielded room. They will improve magnetic tunnel junction sensors to be highly sensitive and motion-robust, aiming to record brain activity with high detail. The goal is to assemble a full 300-channel MEG system that works in natural environments and can be worn or used during daily activities. This work bridges quantum sensing with non-invasive brain imaging to enable richer understanding of cognition in real-life contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from non-invasive, natural-behavior brain imaging that may support diagnosis and monitoring of brain conditions without heavy laboratory setups.
How similar studies have gone: Previous MEG efforts require shielding and coils; this project’s untethered approach is innovative and currently exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiao, Gang — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Xiao, Gang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.