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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/A00742/02
Title: NOVEL HIGH TC SQUID INSTRUMENTATION FOR MAGNETIC RECORDING OF NEURONAL ACTIVITY IN BRAIN TISSUE
Principal Investigator: Tarte, Dr EJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Electronic, Electrical and Computer Eng
Organisation: University of Birmingham
Scheme: Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2005 Ends: 30 September 2005 Value (£): 46,161
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Med.Instrument.Device& Equip.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
I propose to develop the first HT SQUID instruments, customised to detect the magnetic fields generated by groups of, and potentially individual cells in the mammalian central nervous system. In medical research, the electrical signals generated in neural tissue are routinely recorded in basic and applied neurophysiological investigations. Biomagnetfc studies will be less invasive to the individual cell than electrical recording techniques, but also complementary to them since the stages of the neural impulse contribute in different ways to the electrical and magnetic signals. Although a useful system could be constructed now, in order to detect the magnetic field of a single neuron ultra sensitive but miniaturised sensors will be required Thus, substantially improved multilayer oxide device processing techniques are vital.In parallel I will address new aspects of oxide device research using the advanoed fabrication techniques developed for biomagneticsensors. One example is investigation of the dielectric properties of ferroelectric perovskite oxides, which have important electronicsapplications. Related materials are already used in multilayer HT SQUID processes. Thus, resonators containing these materials,designed for the otherwise virtually inaccessible 100GHz to IOOOGHz frequency range, can be characterised using Josephsonjunctions as spectrometers.This programme contains research, in areas which have considerable impact upon competitiveness and quality of life in the UK and is in line with EPSRC's commitment to support physical science underpinning the life sciences.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bham.ac.uk