Probing emergent phenomena in complex environments

Quantum sensing using solid state defects

By manipulating the quantum state of defect spins in solids we can probe important questions about interactions on the single-molecule scale, reveal the underlying physics of new designer materials and explore hidden quantum mechanical phenomena at the nanometre scale.

From basic science to biomedical research

As part of our cross-disciplinary collaborations, we employ quantum sensors in nanocrystals that can be localized inside individual live cells or organisms by utilizing a bespoke biosensing platform (Q-BiC). We aim to translate this platform for use in biomedical research.

Latest publications

Q-BiC: A biocompatible integrated chip for in vitro and in vivo spin-based quantum sensing

Q-BiC: A biocompatible integrated chip for in vitro and in vivo spin-based quantum sensing

Preprint on arxiv, 2024

Louise Shanahan*, Sophia Belser*, Jack W. Hart*, Qiushi Gu, Julien R. E. Roth, Annika Mechnich, Michael Hoegen, Soham Pal, Toby Mitchell, David Jordan, Eric A. Miska, Mete Atatüre, Helena S. Knowles

Opportunities for diamond quantum metrology in biological systems

Opportunities for diamond quantum metrology in biological systems

Appl. Phys. Lett., 2023

Sophia Belser*, Jack W. Hart*, Qiushi Gu, Louise Shanahan and Helena S. Knowles

Simultaneous nanorheometry and nanothermometry using intracellular diamond quantum sensors

Simultaneous nanorheometry and nanothermometry using intracellular diamond quantum sensors

ACS Nano., 2023

Qiushi Gu*, Louise Shanahan*, Jack W. Hart*, Sophia Belser, Noah Shofer, Mete Atatüre and Helena S. Knowles

Dr. Helena Knowles

Assistant Professor, Group Leader

Royal Society University Research Fellow
PhD at the University of Cambridge, 2015

Dr. Soham Pal

Research associate

PhD at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), 2021

Dr. Freya Johnson

1851 Research Fellow

PhD at Imperial College London, 2022

Dr. Jack Hart

Research Associate

PhD at the University of Manchester, 2019

Sophia Belser

PhD Student

Toby Mitchell

PhD Student

Julien Roth

PhD Student

David O'Shea

PhD Student

Chenxi Feng

PHD STUDENT

Katie Ninham

PHD Student

Abbie Davidson

PHD STUDENT

Xander Peetroons

PHD STUDENT

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