The University of Glasgow has cemented its position as a pioneer in transformative research with the launch of a state-of-the-art medical magnetics laboratory. This project underscore the institution’s commitment to addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary innovation.
The University’s newly opened magnetism lab, housed within the James Watt School of Engineering, features a bespoke magnetically shielded room (MuRoom) designed to eliminate external magnetic interference.
Built with a £250,000 investment, the facility enables researchers to detect ultra-weak biomagnetic signals from muscles, organs, and the brain. These signals, measured via magnetomyography (MMG), magnetocardiography (MCG), and magnetoencephalography (MEG), offer significant advantages over traditional electrical methods.
Unlike electrical recordings, which require skin contact and are prone to distortion, magnetic signals pass unimpeded through biological tissues, enabling higher spatial resolution and 3D vector-sensitive imaging. This breakthrough could revolutionize prosthetics control, neurotechnology, and human-computer interaction. For instance, advanced wearable devices developed here may one day translate neural activity into precise commands for robotic limbs or immersive extended reality (XR) systems.
The lab fosters collaboration between academia and industry, supporting projects like *SUPREMISE*—a joint initiative with the University of Edinburgh exploring MMG applications—and Neuranics, a spinout commercializing spintronics-based sensors. Neuranics, founded by Glasgow and Edinburgh researchers, aims to enhance medical diagnostics and XR experiences through compact, energy-efficient magnetic sensing solutions. With over 10 alumni from the James Watt School contributing to its growth, the company exemplifies the University’s role in translating research into real-world impact.
The medical magnetic laboratory project is one of the few the University of Glasgow executed for the advancement of scienceof sustainability in recent time. It should recalled that not too long ago UoG launched *HyDEX*, a £11 million project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean energy. Collaborating with Strathclyde, Cardiff, and other universities, HyDEX focuses on developing liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs)—a safe, efficient method for storing and transporting hydrogen.
Hydrogen is critical to achieving net-zero emissions, but its low density and flammability pose logistical challenges. LOHCs, which bind hydrogen to liquid molecules, enable stable storage at ambient conditions, simplifying transport and integration into existing infrastructure. The Glasgow-led team aims to optimize these carriers for industrial use, supporting sectors like heavy transport and manufacturing. This project aligns with the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy and reinforces the University’s leadership in sustainable technology.
Both the magnetism lab and HyDEX highlight Glasgow’s strategic emphasis on collaborative, solutions-driven research. The MuRoom’s industry partnerships and Neuranics’ success demonstrate how academic innovation drives economic growth, while HyDEX’s focus on sustainability addresses urgent environmental needs.
Professor Hadi Heidari, leading the magnetics research, emphasized the lab’s potential to “reshape healthcare and human-machine interfaces."
By investing in facilities that bridge disciplines—from engineering to medicine and energy—the University of Glasgow continues to position itself at the forefront of global research, delivering transformative technologies that improve lives and safeguard the planet. As these projects evolve, they promise to unlock new frontiers in both human health and sustainable energy, solidifying the institution’s reputation as a catalyst for 21st-century innovation.
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