Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL’s) Physics Division have developed a novel Ultra-Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (ULF-MRI) technology able to create images and probe chemical environments utilizing very weak magnetic fields. This technique, also known as MagViz, uses magnetic fields up to one million times smaller than traditional, high-field (HF) MRI machines currently found in most hospitals. ULF-MRI is enabled by Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs), ultra-sensitive magnetic field detectors, which eliminate the need for large superconducting electromagnets used in HFMRI units, greatly reducing the size and cost for ULF-MRI units. Because it utilizes very small magnetic fields, ULF-MRI is ideal for non-invasive imaging through metal or opaque containers, while retaining the primary strength of traditional MRI: the ability to probe chemical environments as well as provide images. MagViz was initially developed at LANL to advance research in brain activity by detecting ultraweak magnetic fields emanating from the brain. However, MagViz has multiple applications, including medical imaging, food processing and homeland security.
Technology Description |
MagViz scans liquid items such as those travelers typically carry on aircraft and assesses them for threat materials by matching the proton signals from the scanned items to those in a database of benign and ‘threat’ liquids. This MRI image shows six liquid-filled containers, along with their computer generated tags: green for benign liquids, red for threat liquids, and yellow for undetermined liquids. The liquids are (clockwise from the top) sunscreen, benzoil peroxide, high volume hydrogen peroxide (explosive), hand sanitizer, high-volume hydrogen peroxide (explosive), and shampoo.
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