By Wenjun Wang
Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely accepted clinical modality. The performance of MRI systems is limited mainly by the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The problem is especially acute in spectroscopy, where the concentration of 13C is low. In this PhD project, the design of receiving chain of the MRI system will be investigated to improve SNR, with the final aim of being applied to human brain imaging.
Project: Low-noise coil arrays will be designed and implemented. Coils and associated low-loss electronics for tuning, matching, amplification and decoupling from the transmit coil will be designed. Coils and associated front-end electronics will be cooled down to cryogenic temperatures. A cryostat will be developed and tested, followed by an imaging experiment.
Prospective: The project is expected to produce clear images of the interior of human bodies. This may enable MR imaging of brain metabolism in patients with neurological diseases.
Year in which the project will complete: 2022