State-of-the-art magnetism lab opens in GRID

The University of Glasgow has unveiled a state-of-the-art magnetism lab that will advance research into cutting-edge medical magnetics technology and support spin-outs to develop new products.

Equipped with a bespoke magnetically-shielded room known as MuRoom, the magnetism lab will make the University one of the UK’s leading research centres in the field.

The facility was officially opened on Monday, 24 February with an event at the James Watt School of Engineering.

Prototypes

Built with a £250,000 investment from the School, the lab is custom-engineered to eliminate magnetic interference from external sources, such as nearby electronics and the Earth's magnetic field.

• New magnetism lab: Investment in research and technology

The MuRoom will enable researchers to develop new prototypes of devices capable of detecting the extremely weak biomagnetic signals produced by human muscles (magnetomyography or MMG) and organs such as the heart (magnetocardiography or MCG) and brain (magnetoencephalography or MEG).

The magnetism lab will enhance the University’s research and development capabilities, supporting spin-outs like Neuranics, a company bringing together researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to develop spintronics-based sensor solutions for health, fitness, and extended reality (XR) applications.

By leveraging cutting-edge research and innovation, the company is redefining how magnetic sensors are used in healthcare and immersive technologies.

Their advancements enable more precise, energy-efficient, and compact sensing solutions, paving the way for breakthroughs in medical diagnostics, neurotechnology, and next-generation XR experiences.

The lab helps to drive forward the University’s approach to innovation, enabling new developments in medical technology. The lab will foster new partnerships between academia and industry in next-generation medical sensors and transformative technologies, offering new solutions for healthcare, prosthetics, and human-computer interaction.

Professor Muhammad Imran

Professor Muhammad Imran, Head of the James Watt School of Engineering, said: “We’re delighted to officially open the magnetism lab, which is the first facility in Scotland to offer this level of sophisticated shielding to enable advances in biomedical and sensing research.

“The lab helps to drive forward the University’s approach to innovation, enabling new developments in medical technology. The lab will foster new partnerships between academia and industry in next-generation medical sensors and transformative technologies, offering new solutions for healthcare, prosthetics, and human-computer interaction.”

Professor Hadi Heidari, from the James Watt School of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Neuranics, led the installation of the magnetism lab. He said: “The potential applications are incredibly exciting, especially in medical diagnostics. Three-dimensional measurements of magnetic signals could help identify conditions that traditional methods might overlook, such as certain types of 'silent' strokes.

“The magnetism lab will help us make MMG sensors sensitive enough for sophisticated measurements of the human body, which could be integrated into everyday life. That might mean a credit card-sized device that monitors your heart for 24 hours or a wristband that allows precise control of prosthetic limbs.”

• Pictured: A prototype MMG sensor being tested at the new facility

The University, a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities and a top 100 world university, is the anchor institution within GRID with facilities across several locations.

• Main image: (Pictured left to right) Professor Chris Pearce, Vice-Principal for Research and Knowledge Exchange; Eric Yeatman, Head of the College of Science & Engineering; Professor Muhammad Imran, Head of the James Watt School of Engineering; and Prof Andrew McBride, Associate Head of School and Director of Research at the James Watt School of Engineering.