Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This is an application to upgrade our existing 7.05 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accessory. This system was delivered in 2002 and has been used extensively, particularly for research involving operating fuel cells. However, to continue performing frontier research in a rapidly developing field such as MRI, it is critical that both the software and hardware remain current. Thus, we are requesting funds to upgrade our software and expand our imaging capabilities to nuclei other than hydrogen. The improved software will allow the investigation of key components of fuel cells, such as gradient diffusion layers, which is not possible with our existing system, and will also permit the imaging of rigid materials such as hard plastics or bones. For example, the current software does not allow for ultrashort echo-time imaging which reduces problems associated with rapid H-1 spin-spin relaxation in these materials. We are currently restricted to H-1 MRI, yet many other NMR-active nuclei can in principle be used for imaging of materials. For some materials, the lack of hydrogen atoms precludes H-1 MRI investigations. Furthermore, imaging with other nuclei may provide valuable insights unavailable from H-1 MRI. The practicality of imaging using nuclei such as B-11, C-13, Na-23, Al-27, P-31, V-51 has been demonstrated; however, developments and applications in this area of MRI research are at their infancy. With improved imaging software and the necessary hardware, we plan to make significant contributions in the development and application of multinuclear MRI techniques for materials research.