Grant: Idea to Innovation

Magnetic Resonance (MR) based technologies have revolutionized molecular characterization and medical imaging with tools such as NMR and MRI technologies. These techniques however, suffer from low sensitivity which has pushed the industry to using costly magnets or long scanning/imaging times in order to improve image quality.This I2I project aims to prototype algorithmic techniques based on our patented quantum information technology to enhance the resolution of MR technologies. Our patent claims a quantum compression algorithm that, with the repeated application of a fixed quantum transformation before a target is imaged, enhances the effective detectability of the target.The algorithm works by compressing the entropy (i.e. randomness) of the target spins in the sample and transferring the compressed entropy to auxiliary elements in the samples. By doing so, the repeated quantum transformations reduce the entropy of the target spins and hyperpolarizes them, which enables them to generate a stronger signal in the magnetic-resonance-based detection apparatus.The goal of the project is to develop prototypes for this invention and launch a number of trial runs in collaboration with some of the leading companies in the field of NMR and MRI to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technology and fine-tune it to meet specific requirements of the industry.