Author name cluster

Pan Liao

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4 papers

2 author rows

YNIMG Journal 2025 Journal Article

DeepReducer: A linear transformer-based model for MEG denoising

Hui Xu
Li Zheng
Pan Liao
Bingjiang Lyu
Jia-Hong Gao

Measuring event-related magnetic fields (ERFs) in magnetoencephalography (MEG) is crucial for investigating perceptual and cognitive information processing in both neuroscience research and clinical practice. However, the magnitude of the ERF in cortical sources is comparable to the noise in a single trial. Consequently, numerous repetitive recordings are needed to distinguish these sources from background noise, requiring lengthy time for data acquisition. Herein, we introduce DeepReducer, a linear transformer-based deep learning model designed to reliably and efficiently denoise ERFs, thereby reducing the number of required trials. DeepReducer was trained on a mix of limited-trial and multi-trial averaged ERFs, employing mean squared error as the loss function to effectively capture and model the complex signal fluctuations inherent in MEG recordings. Validation on both semi-synthetic and experimental task-related MEG data showed that DeepReducer outperforms conventional trial-averaging techniques, significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio of ERFs and reducing source localization errors. The practical significance of DeepReducer encompasses optimizing MEG data acquisition by reducing participant stress (particularly for patients) and minimizing associated artifacts.

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YNIMG Journal 2025 Journal Article

Facilitating cognitive neuroscience research with 80-sensor optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG)

Wei Xu
Pan Liao
Miao Cao
David J. White
Bingjiang Lyu
Jia-Hong Gao

Recent advancements in optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) make it a promising alternative to conventional SQUID-MEG systems. Nonetheless, as reported in the literature, current OPM-MEG systems are often constrained by a limited number of sampling points, which restricts their capability to match the full-head coverage offered by SQUID-MEG systems. Additionally, whether OPM-MEG can deliver results comparable to SQUID-MEG in practical cognitive neuroscience applications remains largely unexplored. In this study, we introduce a high-density, full-head coverage OPM-MEG system with 80 sensors and systematically compare the performance of OPM-MEG and SQUID-MEG, from sensor- to source-level analysis, across various classic cognitive tasks. Our results demonstrate that visual and auditory evoked fields captured using OPM-MEG align closely with those obtained from SQUID-MEG. Furthermore, steady-state visual evoked field and finger-tapping-induced beta power change recorded with OPM-MEG are accurately localized to corresponding brain regions, with activation centers highly congruent to those observed with SQUID-MEG. For resting-state recordings, the two modalities exhibit similar power distributions, functional connectomes, and microstate clusters. These findings indicate that the 80-sensor OPM-MEG system provides spatial and temporal characteristics comparable to those of traditional SQUID-MEG. Thus, our study offers empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of high-density OPM-MEG and suggests that OPM-MEG, with dense sampling capability, represents a compelling alternative to conventional SQUID-MEG, facilitating further exploration of human cognition.

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YNIMG Journal 2024 Journal Article

Wireless optically pumped magnetometer MEG

Hao Cheng
Kaiyan He
Congcong Li
Xiao Ma
Fufu Zheng
Wei Xu
Pan Liao
Rui Yang

The current magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems, which rely on cables for control and signal transmission, do not fully realize the potential of wearable optically pumped magnetometers (OPM). This study presents a significant advancement in wireless OPM-MEG by reducing magnetization in the electronics and developing a tailored wireless communication protocol. Our protocol effectively eliminates electromagnetic interference, particularly in the critical frequency bands of MEG signals, and accurately synchronizes the acquisition and stimulation channels with the host computer's clock. We have successfully achieved single-channel wireless OPM-MEG measurement and demonstrated its reliability by replicating three well-established experiments: The alpha rhythm, auditory evoked field, and steady-state visual evoked field in the human brain. Our prototype wireless OPM-MEG system not only streamlines the measurement process but also represents a major step forward in the development of wearable OPM-MEG applications in both neuroscience and clinical research.

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ICRA Conference 2018 Conference Paper

A Fish-Like Magnetically Propelled Microswimmer Fabricated by 3D Laser Lithography

Pan Liao
Junyang Li 0001
Shiwu Zhang
Dong Sun 0001

This paper presents the development of a fish-like magnetically propelled microswimmer fabricated by 3D laser lithography. The microswimmer consists of a head and a caudal fin, just like a natural fish. There is a joint between the head and the fin so that the caudal fin can oscillate around the head to generate thrust, and the oscillation of the fin hardly transfers to the head, which benefits the stable motion of the microswimmer. The caudal fin of the microswimmer is deposited with a layer of 50 nm nickel (Ni) for magnetic actuation. Through applying an oscillating uniform magnetic field, the microswimmer can move along with the direction guided by the external magnetic field. A magnetic control system with permanent magnets is designed to provide such an oscillating uniform magnetic field, where the oscillating frequency and amplitude are controllable. A micro probe operation platform is used to detach the fabricated microswimmers from glass substrate in manufacturing. The proposed magnetically propelled microswimmer can be potentially used as powerful detoxification and biosensing tools for medical diagnosis and treatment in precision medicine.

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