Magnetic Field Mapping Using an Arduino
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Visual Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Your Location
University of Windsor
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr.Dan Xiao
Proposal
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful non-invasive imaging modality, providing rich contrasts and molecular scale information. MRI utilizes strong magnetic fields to produce a signal. It is crucial to characterize the magnetic field to ensure image quality. This also enables more advanced analytical techniques to process the signal, such as in the development of low-cost MRI instruments. Mapping a magnetic field in a three-dimensional space, requires precise movement and positioning of a three-axis hall probe, as well as a high degree of repeatability. This motivates the use of a dedicated automatic mechanical system to perform the mapping.
A three-dimensional magnetic field mapper has been designed, constructed and optimized. An Arduino Uno R3 board (cost ~$50) has been employed as the controller. Serial port and custom python scripts have been developed for communication. The mapper’s gantry has been constructed with non-magnetic materials. A spatial resolution of 160µm (limited by probe size) has been achieved with a stepper motor and micro-stepping. The mapper has been constructed in house, at the cost of a fraction of the commercial mappers but has more flexibility. The custom scripts allow users to easily modify the trajectory, dimensions, speed and data density without the need of any proprietary software. This instrument empowers advanced MRI research. The gantry has been designed to allow quick transitions to other tasks such as 3D printing and computer numerical control machining.
Magnetic Field Mapping Using an Arduino
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful non-invasive imaging modality, providing rich contrasts and molecular scale information. MRI utilizes strong magnetic fields to produce a signal. It is crucial to characterize the magnetic field to ensure image quality. This also enables more advanced analytical techniques to process the signal, such as in the development of low-cost MRI instruments. Mapping a magnetic field in a three-dimensional space, requires precise movement and positioning of a three-axis hall probe, as well as a high degree of repeatability. This motivates the use of a dedicated automatic mechanical system to perform the mapping.
A three-dimensional magnetic field mapper has been designed, constructed and optimized. An Arduino Uno R3 board (cost ~$50) has been employed as the controller. Serial port and custom python scripts have been developed for communication. The mapper’s gantry has been constructed with non-magnetic materials. A spatial resolution of 160µm (limited by probe size) has been achieved with a stepper motor and micro-stepping. The mapper has been constructed in house, at the cost of a fraction of the commercial mappers but has more flexibility. The custom scripts allow users to easily modify the trajectory, dimensions, speed and data density without the need of any proprietary software. This instrument empowers advanced MRI research. The gantry has been designed to allow quick transitions to other tasks such as 3D printing and computer numerical control machining.