Aalto University is the result of a merger of three Finnish universities, Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, in 2010. Aalto University has six schools (Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Business and Arts, Design and Architecture). There are over 20,000 students, 370 professors and 5,000 staff in Aalto University. Aalto’s unique profile – combining science and art with technology, business and design – stimulates transdisciplinary collaborations and facilitates new innovations. Disciplinary excellence is combined with interdisciplinary activities, both engaging students as well as the local innovation ecosystem.

The group at Aalto University, led by Koos Zevenhoven, is specialized in techniques and instrumentation for functional and structural brain imaging based on ultra-low-field MRI, current-density imaging and their combination with MEG. This includes a variety of expertise ranging from the physics of nuclear magnetic resonance, superconductivity and electromagnetics to signal processing, high-precision electronics, software and modeling. To replace the famous first MEG–MRI prototype, the group develops the next-generation hybrid brain imaging device at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, aiming at dramatic improvements in the image quality and speed of the brain scanner. Other research activities include the development of novel techniques and MRI sequences such as NMR-based current-density imaging encoded in zero applied field. Imaging electric current density provides valuable information about electric volume currents in tissue for further increase in the precision of electromagnetic brain imaging.

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy including brachytherapy and radiosurgery, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both health care providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and save patient lives.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used by over 6,000 customers worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,850 employees spread globally across 28 countries. Elekta’s manufacturing is located to eight production units in the US, China and Europe. The corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm.

HUS – The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa – is a Joint Authority formed by 24 municipalities. The aim is to offer patients in all member municipalities a timely and equal access to specialized medical care.

Functioning as part of HUS, Helsinki University Hospital HUH is nationally responsible for treating severe and rare illnesses and ones calling for special expertise and technology.

The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is the National Metrology Institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with scientific and technical service tasks. It furthers progress and reliability in metrology for society, the economy and science. Within the Department 8.2 „Biosignals“ the working group 8.22 „Biosignal measurement techniques“ is conducting research and devolopment in ultra-senstive measurements techniques used for the detection of biomagnetic signals and spinprecession. The department operates the Berlin Magnetically Shielded Room-2 (BMSR-2), the world’s best magnetic shielding facility for ultra-sensitive magnetic measurements utilizing a built-in multi-channel SQUID magnetometer system. An Ultra-Low-Field NMR/MRI setup with a highly sensitive 1-channel SQUID system housed inside magnetically shielded room and various other multi-channel SQUID systems with integrated superconducting shields as well as a commercial 128-channel MEG helmet-system exist within the department.

Micronova is Finland’s National Research Infrastructure for micro- and nanotechnology, jointly run by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University. Our mission is to develop innovative, enabling technologies, and to apply these in practical micro- and nanosystems.

Micronova’s expertise covers the entire micro-nano innovation chain, from basic device physics and materials research to the development of new fabrication techniques and device prototypes, and even small scale manufacturing. One of our key strengths is close collaboration with industry. Furthermore, teaching and researcher training form an important part of Micronova’s activities. Applications developed at Micronova include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), optical and wireless sensors, millimeter-wave devices, photonics systems, biosensors, microfluidics, nanoelectronic and quantum devices, radiation detectors and instruments for space technology.

Located on the Otaniemi Technology Campus 10km west of Helsinki city center, Micronova brings together 350 professionals from the parent organisations as well as industry. Micronova is also open to researchers from outside the center. Our modern facilities include 2600 m2 of cleanrooms and processing lines for silicon CMOS, MEMS, III-V optoelectronics and thin film devices.

The Technische Universität Ilmenau (TUIL) is the technical university of the Free State of Thuringia, located in the center of Germany. With about 7,000 students, 1,400 employees and its emphasis on innovative research, TUIL is one of the leading universities of technology in Germany. TUIL consistently ranks among the top ten universities in its fields of specialization. Within the region, TUIL is a significant economic and innovative factor, while in the international field it is seen as a high proficient research and teaching institution. Intensive basic as well as applied and industry-oriented research have become trademarks of the university. TUIL has wide experience as a partner in about 30 FP7 and 18 FP6 projects. Among the strategic focus research areas of the TUIL are Technical and Biomedical Assistance Systems. The field of biomedical engineering is represented by the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI), which was the first university institute in Europe that introduced an on-campus program of Biomedical Engineering in 1953. The research at BMTI spans technique-oriented methods and systems for early detection, diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation in medicine. Key aspects of research are in the field of bioelectric and biomagnetic measurements and biosignal processing. The research facilities at the BMTI include an electronics laboratory, TMS – laboratory, electrophysiological, cardiological and ophthalmological laboratories, high-end ultrasound equipment, as well as implementations of modern signal analysis methods. These facilities and the strong BMTI focus on non-invasive bioelectric and biomagnetic diagnostics are a perfect match for BREAKBEN.

The main task of TUIL in the BREAKBEN project is to develop novel phantoms with adjustable and dynamic tissue properties and to provide these phantoms for system validation.

The University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara – UdA is a public university founded more than 30 years ago. The University is made of two campuses, one located in Chieti and the other in Pescara. The University comprises 13 Departments, 2 Schools and 2 Centres. UdA personnel comprise 700 professors and 160 technical-administration staff, and carries out teaching duties for about 29.000 students.

The Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (DNISC ) of UdA includes 53 professors with different background, such as physicists, engineers, physicians and psychologists and 10 technical-administration staff involved in multidisciplinary projects including: physiology & pathophysiology, neurological, psychopathological & rehabilitation science, general, social & developmental psychology, imaging diagnostic, interventional radiology & radiotherapy, instrumentation methods & models, cardiovascular & pharmacological science.

The Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB) is a Centre founded by EU in 1992 and become operative in 1998. ITAB is devoted to the development of instrumentation for biomagnetism, biomagnetic data analysis and multimodal functional brain imaging. ITAB operates in synergy with DNISC and includes 15 staff researchers working on the implementation of instruments, development and implementation of data analysis methods, design of experiments and interpretation of the related results. ITAB is equipped with different non-invasive neuroimaging techniques such as LF-MRI (0.2 T for limbs/small animals) and HF-MRI (1.5 T and 3 T Philips Achieva, for humans), a 153-channel MEG scanner, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with simultaneous EEG, High density EEG, InfraRed camera, and Near Infrared Spectroscopy equipment.