This research will focus on developing advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nanomagnetic contrast agents will be fabricated and characterized. The nanomagnets to be investigated include molecular nanomagnets, such as Fe-8, and nanoparticles formed by novel thin-film self assembly techniques. The nanomagnets will be characterized using SQUID magnetometry and electron spin resonance (ESR) at fields up to 7 T and frequencies up to 140 GHz. The affect of the nanomagnets on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties of protons in biological solutions will be studied. Systems that can simultaneously measure NMR, ESR, and nanomagnet magnetization will be developed. A detailed understanding of how the nanomagnet properties, such as anisotropies and fluctuations, affect proton relaxation in biological solutions will be developed. MRI imaging of potential nanomagnetic contrast agents will be done on commercial MRI systems at local hospitals. Materials with different relaxation times will be investigated for use in MRI standards and phantoms.
Biomagnetism; Electron spin resonance; ESR; Magnetic resonance imaging; Molecular nanomagnets; MRI; Nanomagnetism; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance;