115 research outputs found
Towards naturalistic scanning environments for wearable magnetoencephalography
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a neuroimaging technique that probes human brain function, by measuring the magnetic fields generated at the scalp by current flow in assemblies of neurons. A direct measure of neural activity, MEG offers high spatiotemporal resolution, but limitations imposed by superconducting sensor technologies impede its clinical utility. Specifically, neuromagnetic fields are up to a billion times smaller than that of the Earth, meaning MEG must be performed inside a magnetically shielded room (MSR), which is typically expensive, heavy, and difficult to site. Furthermore, current MEG systems employ superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to detect these tiny magnetic fields, however, these sensors require cryogenic cooling with liquid helium. Consequently, scanners are bulky, expensive, and the SQUIDs must be arranged in a fixed, one-size-fits-all array. Any movement relative to the fixed sensors impacts data quality, meaning participant movement in MEG is severely restricted. The development of technology to enable a wearable MEG system allowing free participant movement would generate a step change for the field.
Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are an alternative magnetic field detector recently developed with sufficient sensitivity for MEG measurements. Operating at body temperature, in a small and lightweight sensor package, OPMs offer the potential for a wearable MEG scanner that allows participant movement, with sensors mounted on the scalp in a helmet or cap. However, OPMs operate around a zero-field resonance, resulting in a narrow dynamic range that may be easily exceeded by movement of the sensor within a background magnetic field. Enabling a full range of participant motion during an OPM-MEG scan therefore presents a significant challenge, requiring precise control of the background magnetic field.
This thesis describes the development of techniques to better control the magnetic environment for OPM-MEG. This includes greater reduction of background magnetic fields over a fixed region to minimise motion artefacts and facilitate larger movements, and the application of novel, multi-coil active magnetic shielding systems to enable flexibility in participant positioning within the MSR. We outline a new approach to map background magnetic fields more accurately, reducing the remnant magnetic field to <300 pT and yielding a five-fold reduction in motion artefact, to allow detection of a visual steady-state evoked response during continuous head motion. Employing state-of-the-art, triaxial OPMs alongside this precision magnetic field control technique, we map motor function during a handwriting task involving naturalistic head movements and investigate the advantages of triaxial sensitivity for MEG data analysis. Using multi-coil active magnetic shielding, we map motor function consistently in the same participant when seated and standing, and demonstrate the first OPM-MEG hyperscanning experiments. Finally, we outline how the integration of a multi-coil system into the walls of a lightweight MSR, when coupled with field control over a larger volume, provides an open scanning environment. In sum, these developments represent a significant step towards realising the full potential of OPM-MEG as a wearable functional neuroimaging technology
Towards naturalistic scanning environments for wearable magnetoencephalography
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a neuroimaging technique that probes human brain function, by measuring the magnetic fields generated at the scalp by current flow in assemblies of neurons. A direct measure of neural activity, MEG offers high spatiotemporal resolution, but limitations imposed by superconducting sensor technologies impede its clinical utility. Specifically, neuromagnetic fields are up to a billion times smaller than that of the Earth, meaning MEG must be performed inside a magnetically shielded room (MSR), which is typically expensive, heavy, and difficult to site. Furthermore, current MEG systems employ superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to detect these tiny magnetic fields, however, these sensors require cryogenic cooling with liquid helium. Consequently, scanners are bulky, expensive, and the SQUIDs must be arranged in a fixed, one-size-fits-all array. Any movement relative to the fixed sensors impacts data quality, meaning participant movement in MEG is severely restricted. The development of technology to enable a wearable MEG system allowing free participant movement would generate a step change for the field.
Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are an alternative magnetic field detector recently developed with sufficient sensitivity for MEG measurements. Operating at body temperature, in a small and lightweight sensor package, OPMs offer the potential for a wearable MEG scanner that allows participant movement, with sensors mounted on the scalp in a helmet or cap. However, OPMs operate around a zero-field resonance, resulting in a narrow dynamic range that may be easily exceeded by movement of the sensor within a background magnetic field. Enabling a full range of participant motion during an OPM-MEG scan therefore presents a significant challenge, requiring precise control of the background magnetic field.
This thesis describes the development of techniques to better control the magnetic environment for OPM-MEG. This includes greater reduction of background magnetic fields over a fixed region to minimise motion artefacts and facilitate larger movements, and the application of novel, multi-coil active magnetic shielding systems to enable flexibility in participant positioning within the MSR. We outline a new approach to map background magnetic fields more accurately, reducing the remnant magnetic field to <300 pT and yielding a five-fold reduction in motion artefact, to allow detection of a visual steady-state evoked response during continuous head motion. Employing state-of-the-art, triaxial OPMs alongside this precision magnetic field control technique, we map motor function during a handwriting task involving naturalistic head movements and investigate the advantages of triaxial sensitivity for MEG data analysis. Using multi-coil active magnetic shielding, we map motor function consistently in the same participant when seated and standing, and demonstrate the first OPM-MEG hyperscanning experiments. Finally, we outline how the integration of a multi-coil system into the walls of a lightweight MSR, when coupled with field control over a larger volume, provides an open scanning environment. In sum, these developments represent a significant step towards realising the full potential of OPM-MEG as a wearable functional neuroimaging technology
NASA patent abstracts bibliography: A continuing bibliography. Section 1: Abstracts (supplement 30)
Abstracts are provided for 105 patents and patent applications entered into the NASA scientific and technical information system during the period July 1986 through December 1986. Each entry consists of a citation, an abstract, and in most cases, a key illustration selected from the patent or patent application
34th Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems-Final Program
Organized by the Naval Postgraduate School Monterey California. Cosponsored by the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society.
Symposium Organizing Committee: General Chairman-Sherif Michael, Technical Program-Roberto Cristi, Publications-Michael Soderstrand, Special Sessions- Charles W. Therrien, Publicity: Jeffrey Burl, Finance: Ralph Hippenstiel, and Local Arrangements: Barbara Cristi
Quantum Communication, Sensing and Measurement in Space
The main theme of the conclusions drawn for classical communication systems
operating at optical or higher frequencies is that there is a well‐understood
performance gain in photon efficiency (bits/photon) and spectral efficiency
(bits/s/Hz) by pursuing coherent‐state transmitters (classical ideal laser light)
coupled with novel quantum receiver systems operating near the Holevo limit (e.g.,
joint detection receivers). However, recent research indicates that these receivers
will require nonlinear and nonclassical optical processes and components at the
receiver. Consequently, the implementation complexity of Holevo‐capacityapproaching
receivers is not yet fully ascertained. Nonetheless, because the
potential gain is significant (e.g., the projected photon efficiency and data rate of
MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Lunar Lasercom Demonstration (LLCD) could be achieved
with a factor‐of‐20 reduction in the modulation bandwidth requirement), focused
research activities on ground‐receiver architectures that approach the Holevo limit
in space‐communication links would be beneficial.
The potential gains resulting from quantum‐enhanced sensing systems in space
applications have not been laid out as concretely as some of the other areas
addressed in our study. In particular, while the study period has produced several
interesting high‐risk and high‐payoff avenues of research, more detailed seedlinglevel
investigations are required to fully delineate the potential return relative to
the state‐of‐the‐art. Two prominent examples are (1) improvements to pointing,
acquisition and tracking systems (e.g., for optical communication systems) by way
of quantum measurements, and (2) possible weak‐valued measurement techniques
to attain high‐accuracy sensing systems for in situ or remote‐sensing instruments.
While these concepts are technically sound and have very promising bench‐top
demonstrations in a lab environment, they are not mature enough to realistically
evaluate their performance in a space‐based application. Therefore, it is
recommended that future work follow small focused efforts towards incorporating
practical constraints imposed by a space environment.
The space platform has been well recognized as a nearly ideal environment for some
of the most precise tests of fundamental physics, and the ensuing potential of
scientific advances enabled by quantum technologies is evident in our report. For
example, an exciting concept that has emerged for gravity‐wave detection is that the
intermediate frequency band spanning 0.01 to 10 Hz—which is inaccessible from
the ground—could be accessed at unprecedented sensitivity with a space‐based
interferometer that uses shorter arms relative to state‐of‐the‐art to keep the
diffraction losses low, and employs frequency‐dependent squeezed light to surpass
the standard quantum limit sensitivity. This offers the potential to open up a new
window into the universe, revealing the behavior of compact astrophysical objects
and pulsars. As another set of examples, research accomplishments in the atomic
and optics fields in recent years have ushered in a number of novel clocks and
sensors that can achieve unprecedented measurement precisions. These emerging
technologies promise new possibilities in fundamental physics, examples of which
are tests of relativistic gravity theory, universality of free fall, frame‐dragging
precession, the gravitational inverse‐square law at micron scale, and new ways of gravitational wave detection with atomic inertial sensors. While the relevant
technologies and their discovery potentials have been well demonstrated on the
ground, there exists a large gap to space‐based systems. To bridge this gap and to
advance fundamental‐physics exploration in space, focused investments that further
mature promising technologies, such as space‐based atomic clocks and quantum
sensors based on atom‐wave interferometers, are recommended.
Bringing a group of experts from diverse technical backgrounds together in a
productive interactive environment spurred some unanticipated innovative
concepts. One promising concept is the possibility of utilizing a space‐based
interferometer as a frequency reference for terrestrial precision measurements.
Space‐based gravitational wave detectors depend on extraordinarily low noise in
the separation between spacecraft, resulting in an ultra‐stable frequency reference
that is several orders of magnitude better than the state of the art of frequency
references using terrestrial technology. The next steps in developing this promising
new concept are simulations and measurement of atmospheric effects that may limit
performance due to non‐reciprocal phase fluctuations.
In summary, this report covers a broad spectrum of possible new opportunities in
space science, as well as enhancements in the performance of communication and
sensing technologies, based on observing, manipulating and exploiting the
quantum‐mechanical nature of our universe. In our study we identified a range of
exciting new opportunities to capture the revolutionary capabilities resulting from
quantum enhancements. We believe that pursuing these opportunities has the
potential to positively impact the NASA mission in both the near term and in the
long term. In this report we lay out the research and development paths that we
believe are necessary to realize these opportunities and capitalize on the gains
quantum technologies can offer
Goddard's Astrophysics Science Division Annual Report 2011
The Astrophysics Science Division(ASD) at Goddard Space Flight Center(GSFC)is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical organizations in the world, with activities spanning a broad range of topics in theory, observation, and mission and technology development. Scientific research is carried out over the entire electromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays to radiowavelengths as well as particle physics and gravitational radiation. Members of ASD also provide the scientific operations for three orbiting astrophysics missions WMAP, RXTE, and Swift, as well as the Science Support Center for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. A number of key technologies for future missions are also under development in the Division, including X-ray mirrors, space-based interferometry, high contract imaging techniques to serch for exoplanets, and new detectors operating at gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, and radio wavelengths. The overriding goals of ASD are to carry out cutting-edge scientific research, and provide Project Scientist support for spaceflight missions, implement the goals of the NASA Strategic Plan, serve and suppport the astronomical community, and enable future missions by conceiving new conepts and inventing new technologies
Project Gemini - A technical summary
Spacecraft system design, mission planning, and qualification testing for Gemini projec
Cumulative index to NASA Tech Briefs, 1963-1965
Annotated bibliography of NASA technical briefs on electrical, energy sources, materials, life sciences, and mechanical informatio
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