The UK Ministry of Defence has allocated £3.1 million to support the development of a mobile quantum brain scanner aimed at monitoring the effects of blast exposure on military personnel in real time. The device will be created by Cerca Magnetics, a spin-out company from the University of Nottingham, and will be used by Defence Medical Services.
This new magnetoencephalography (MEG) brain scanner is designed to be portable, allowing it to operate directly at training sites rather than being confined to hospitals. This mobility enables researchers and medical teams to observe soldiers’ brain activity within minutes after blast exposure during exercises, which could provide important data on both immediate and long-term neurological effects.
Traditional methods for diagnosing brain injuries in military settings often depend on delayed hospital scans or subjective symptom reporting, which may overlook subtle changes in brain function. The new scanner uses quantum sensors that can detect minute magnetic fields generated by neural activity, offering a more precise view of how the brain responds to external forces.
The project is part of the UK’s broader investment in quantum technologies across sectors such as healthcare, defence, and transport. It aligns with government efforts to position the country as a leader in quantum research and its practical applications.
Development is being led by Defence Medical Services’ Cyber & Specialist Operations Command in collaboration with scientists and engineers. The technology will undergo extensive testing before wider deployment. If successful, it could change how armed forces monitor and protect their personnel from neurological harm caused by blast exposure.
There are also potential civilian applications for this technology. Portable brain scanners could improve diagnosis and treatment for conditions like epilepsy, dementia, and stroke by enabling faster access to advanced imaging outside traditional hospital settings.
"The Author used AI in preparing this article. Comments upon or questions about this article can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com."
