Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
is a routine clinical tool, generating images with exquisite anatomical detail
for diagnostic purposes. Although the spatial resolution is low compared with
optical and other microscopies, the real power of MRI lies in the flexibility
of available contrasts. Careful choice of preparation of the nuclear spins can
allow images to be obtained in which the contrast reflects chemistry, temperature,
pH or motion for example. My main interest is in the latter - magnetisation
preparation can give MR images which map self-diffusion coefficients or coherent
flow velocities. MRI is a uniquely non-invasive probe of inhomogeneous flow
fields and is applied for the study of a variety of mass transport situations.
Motion contrasts are widely exploited in a clinical context, but less so in
materials physics, which is dominated by the difficulties of working in systems
with short signal lifetimes.
My research is currently concentrated in three areas: (i) the development of
selective radiofrequency excitations for use in MRI where signals are fleetingly
short (as they are in most solids, semisolids and confined liquids); (ii) the
development of improved methods for flow and diffusion mapping of liquids and
gases (faster flow rates, higher spatial resolution) and (iii) the development
of new MRI methods for materials science.
The UNB MRI Centre is a world-leading laboratory for materials MRI. The laboratory
is beautifully equipped and MRI is an excellent cross-disciplinary field for
graduate research. More details of the Centre can be found at the UNB
MRI Research Centre homepage, including comprehensive lists of our publications
and news about recent awards.
Representative
Publications Listed at Google Scholar (in order of the Google
Scholar Ranking Algorithm)
This information was last updated 05/10/2012 11:17:35