University · Nottingham
Helmets fitted with optically pumped magnetometers, which record brain activity while the wearer moves, are the University of Nottingham's signature quantum project; its School of Physics and Astronomy developed them and spun them out as Cerca Magnetics in 2020. In December 2025 the Ministry of Defence committed more than £3m to a fully mobile version for studying blast exposure in troops, built by Cerca with Nottingham physicists, the University of Birmingham and Magnetic Shields. Nottingham was a partner in the Birmingham-led Sensors and Timing hub from 2019 to 2024 and is a partner in its successor, the QuSIT hub.
University of Nottingham is a university in Nottingham with two quantum projects in this directory. It is a partner in 2 UK projects: QuSIT and UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing. Profiled here: Matthew Brookes (Non-Executive Chairman).
Sources: Wearable brain imaging gives clearest ever picture of children's developing brain | University of Nottingham · World's first mobile quantum brain scanner being developed to measure blast effects on troops | GOV.UK · GtR: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing (EP/T001046/1) · GtR: QuSIT hub (EP/Z533166/1)
QuSIT
A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Role: Partner
Funding: £22m
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
The phase 2 national hub for quantum sensors and clocks, led by the University of Birmingham. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £28.6m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention University of Nottingham.
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Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
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Taiyuan University researchers develop a quantum protocol that improves weak signal detection using Successive Adiabatic Evolution.
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The lengthy process of bringing new materials to practical use is now undergoing a fundamental shift. Previously, discovery focused on identifying theoretically perfect materials, but attention is now turning to finding those that reliably perform under real-world manufacturing and operating conditi
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