Imagine trying to take a photo in a dark room — your camera sensor matters more than your flash. Brain microscopes have the same problem: current light detectors can only see so deep into living tissue before everything goes blurry. Brainiaqs built arrays of ultra-sensitive superconducting detectors that catch individual photons of light, like having night-vision goggles for microscopes. The result? They aimed to double how deep and how clearly scientists can image inside a living brain.
Current multi-photon microscopes cannot image deep enough into living brain tissue because their light detectors lack the sensitivity needed. This limits neuroscience research, drug development for brain disorders, and any application requiring detailed imaging of thick living tissues. Companies making or using these microscopes are hitting a hardware ceiling that no amount of software processing can fix.
The project built arrays of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with active areas enlarged by an order of magnitude, integrated into a multi-photon microscope with cryogenic cooling systems. They demonstrated in-vivo near-IR multi-photon imaging of neuronal cells tagged with near-IR fluorophores (deliverable D5.2).
If you are a microscope manufacturer struggling with the depth limitations of your multi-photon imaging systems — this project developed superconducting single-photon detector arrays that aim to double imaging depth and resolution in live tissue. Integrating this detector technology could differentiate your next-generation microscopes for neuroscience and deep-tissue research customers.
If you are a pharma company investing in neurological drug development and need to see deeper into brain tissue during preclinical studies — this project built quantum sensor arrays for multi-photon microscopes that combine high efficiency with low noise and high time resolution. Better imaging means faster validation of drug candidates targeting brain disorders.
If you are a photonics company producing single-photon detectors and looking for new application markets — this project scaled superconducting nanowire detector arrays by an order of magnitude in active area and integrated cryogenic cooling systems for real-world microscopy use. The life sciences imaging market represents a concrete commercial path for your detector technology.
The project data does not include specific pricing. However, the technology requires cryogenic cooling systems and superconducting nanowire fabrication, which are specialized and currently expensive components. Costs would depend on scaling production of the detector arrays and cooling infrastructure.
The project specifically addressed scaling the active area of the sensor by an order of magnitude, which was a key barrier to practical use. The consortium included SINGLE QUANTUM BV, an SME that commercially produces superconducting nanowire detectors, suggesting a path to manufacturing scale.
The project was funded as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under Horizon 2020. IP generated during the project typically belongs to the consortium partners. SINGLE QUANTUM BV as the coordinating SME likely holds key commercialization rights for the detector technology.
The objective states the goal is doubling imaging depth and resolution compared to current techniques. The superconducting nanowire detectors combine high efficiency, low noise, and high time resolution — addressing the main limitations of conventional light detectors used in multi-photon microscopy.
The project produced a demo deliverable showing in-vivo near-IR multi-photon imaging of neuronal cells tagged with near-IR fluorophores at month 30. This confirms the technology was tested on living tissue, not just in simulation.
As a research instrument component, the detector arrays themselves are not medical devices requiring clinical approval. However, microscope systems using this technology for diagnostic purposes would need to comply with relevant medical device regulations in target markets.
This is a compact, focused consortium of 4 partners across 4 countries (Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden), with a 25% industry ratio. The coordinator SINGLE QUANTUM BV is a Dutch SME that already manufactures superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors commercially — they are not just a research partner but a company with a product line and market presence. The remaining partners include 1 university and 2 research organizations, providing the scientific expertise in cryogenics, nanofabrication, and neuroscience imaging. The small consortium size and single industrial partner suggest this is still early-stage technology being pulled toward commercialization by one motivated SME, rather than a broad industry-driven effort.
SINGLE QUANTUM BV is a Dutch SME specializing in superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Contact their business development team for licensing or integration discussions.
Want to explore how quantum detector technology could upgrade your imaging systems? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction to the Brainiaqs team and help evaluate the business case for your specific application.
