🧬 Quantum Physics Enters the Clinic
In a quiet suburb of Paris, the laboratories of Thales are pioneering a revolution that could redefine medical diagnostics.
Using the principles of quantum physics, researchers are developing ultra-sensitive, pen-sized devices capable of detecting the brain’s electrical discharges with unprecedented precision.
This leap in technology promises to shrink diagnostic machines by a factor of a thousand—while multiplying their sensitivity by the same scale.
🔍 Beyond MRI: A New Era of Detection
Traditional MRI machines are bulky, expensive, and often uncomfortable. Yet they’ve long been the gold standard for non-invasive internal imaging. Now, quantum science is poised to surpass them.
Thales has unveiled prototypes of antennas that isolate the magnetic component of radio waves, allowing them to receive signals that currently require massive arrays of equipment.
These antennas could soon detect how electricity flows through organ fibers, opening entirely new branches of diagnostics. One potential application? Mapping the brain’s electrical activity to identify tumors and neurological disorders long before current systems can.
🧠 Precision at the Quantum Level
The secret lies in manipulating matter at cryogenic temperatures—around minus 200°C—and using lasers to target electrons orbiting atoms.
This extreme engineering allows scientists to build sensors that interact with the fundamental particles of nature. The result: diagnostic tools that are not only smaller and more powerful, but also energy-efficient and portable.
Thales CTO Bernhard Quendt explains, “Quantum physics allows us to reduce device size by a thousand times while increasing sensitivity and precision by the same factor. It’s an extraordinary leap forward.”
🌍 Global Race for Quantum Medicine
Every major nation is investing heavily in quantum technologies. The field is becoming to physics and engineering what AI is to computing—a transformative force.
But the road ahead is long. Experts estimate it will take at least three years to industrialize the antenna, and several more to develop compatible devices and analytical software.
Still, the promise is clear: quantum sensors could revolutionize how we detect, monitor, and treat disease—ushering in a future where diagnostics are faster, smarter, and more accessible.