Two Indian research institutes are collaborating on a device that will be able to map the brain and help in diagnosing and treating brain illnesses.

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam is working with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in Bangalore on the project, which should be completed by the end of 2006.

IGCAR director Baldev Raj said Wednesday at the National Technology Day celebrations of the K.J. Research Foundation on the outskirts of the city that the project had been with the institute for three years.

"We have developed a super conductivity quantum interface device, SQUID, for research in non-destructive applications such as cardiography, mineral tracking and brain mapping," he said.

"The objective of the device is to improve the technology related to brain illnesses."

He said there had been comparatively fewer advances for brain related ailments as compared to developments on research in other organs.

Raj promised that the device would be cost effective.