Item: Development of a Compact MRI System in Cold Room for Imaging of Structure of Snow and Ice
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Title: Development of a Compact MRI System in Cold Room for Imaging of Structure of Snow and Ice
Proceedings: Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008
Authors:
- Satoru Adachi [ Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba ]
- Toshihiro Ozeki [ Hokkaido University of Education ]
- Katsumi Kose [ Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba ]
- Shinya Handa [ Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba ]
- Tomoyuki Haishi [ MR technology, Inc ]
Date: 2008-09-22
Abstract: We have developed a compact MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system for visualizing the threedimensional microstructure of snow and ice by using a high-field-strength (1.04 T) permanent magnet in a cold room (-5 °C). In general, an MRI system uses a superconducting magnet; however, it cannot be used in a cold room because it is considerably large and requires a low-temperature cryogen (liquid nitro and liquid helium). The proposed MRI system consists of a portable MRI console and an extremely compact permanent magnet. A portable MRI console is set up at room temperature beside the cold room. A three-dimensional driven equilibrium spin-echo sequence and dual scan was used for the three-dimensional high-resolution imaging (image matrix = 2563; voxel size = ((123 um)3; total imaging time = 2-16 h; and number of excitations = 1-8). Because the MRI signal from the ice is very weak in the MRI system, the air gaps in the snow and ice are filled with dodecane (C12H26), and the filler is imaged. This compact MRI system is a powerful tool to visualize the microstructure of snow and ice in a cold room.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: Satoru Adachi
Keywords: compact mri, microstructure, cold room
Page Number(s): 931
Subjects: snowpack modeling microstructure variability
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