United KingdomResearchers at Peking University have developed a new type of magnetometer that uses a levitating magnet to measure magnetic fields with unprecedented sensitivity. This device, smaller than a millimeter, detects ultra-faint brain activity by tracking the movement of a suspended magnet in response to magnetic fields. Unlike traditional methods such as SQUID-based systems or SERF magnetometers, which require extreme cooling or perfect shielding, this approach simplifies the setup by suspending the sensor between a 'lifting' magnet and a diamagnetic material. The system operates within a vacuum chamber and employs advanced noise-reduction techniques to achieve high precision, even detecting disturbances as small as 100 femtoteslas caused by materials like aluminum foil. The study, published in Science, highlights potential applications beyond neuroscience, including searches for dark matter.
Bias read (Center): The article presents scientific research without political commentary or ideological framing. It focuses on technical advancements in magnetometry and their implications for neuroscience and physics, without taking sides on any political issue.
