Project description
Ultrasensitive NEMS device could sense very weak biomagnetic fields of the brain
Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are chip-level devices integrating mechanical elements, sensors, actuators and electronics that can sense or control the physical environment using nanofabrication technology. The EU-funded OXiNEMS project plans to develop NEMS devices made entirely from transition metal oxides, which display a wide range of interesting physical properties, such as magnetoelectricity, electro-optic effects, multiferroicity, ferromagnetism and superconductivity. Researchers plan to realise a proof-of-concept NEMS device based on these materials to measure the very weak magnetic fields generated by brain activity. Importantly, these ultrasensitive detectors will be extremely resistant to applied magnetic fields, overcoming the operational limitations of the superconducting quantum interference devices currently used worldwide for probing the functions of the human brain.
Objective
In this project, we develop a new class of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) based on integrated multifunctional oxides. With these devices, we will construct ultrasensitive and robust detectors for biomagnetism and apply them as transducers for applications in the field of human brain imaging. OXiNEMS will exploit advanced multifunctional materials, namely transition metal oxides (TMOs) to create new types of NEMS and MEMS devices based on crystalline heterostructures and revolutionize the field of M/NEMS across many areas of technology. As proof-of-concept of this innovative vision, OXiNEMS targets breakthrough research for developing nanomechanical sensors for measuring weak magnetic fields, in particular those found in Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Ultralow-Field/Very-Low-Field (ULF/VLF) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Presently available instruments are based on Low Temperature SQUID detectors which are extremely sensitive, but are mildly robust to static and pulsed magnetic fields, such as the ones used in ULF/VLF MRI and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), still not integrated with MEG. SQUIDs require expensive operation and maintenance costs, as they work in a liquid helium (4K) bath. OXiNEMS will develop robust magnetic field sensors based on nanomechanical resonators with all-optical readout, working in a simplified cryogenics setup at the liquid nitrogen temperature (77K). This allows for a much smaller working distance which enables biomagnetic detection with unprecedented spatial resolution. The success of OXiNEMS will thus both revolutionize the NEMS and MEMS field by introducing a new class of multifunctional sensors/actuators, and also it will open new directions in the field of human brain imaging by facing one of the most critical current challenges of neuroscience and the clinical community: to image brain activity and connectivity with high spatial and temporal resolution combining MEG with MRI and TMS on the same system.
Fields of science
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrynoble gases
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryinorganic compounds
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynanoelectromechanical systems
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingmagnetic resonance imaging
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
00185 Roma
Italy