Medical and Materials Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique widely used in medical imaging. Within medical imaging our interest is focused on peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) due to field gradient switched in MRI, acoustic noise reduction and magnetic labelling of cells and liposomes. MRI is also applied to imaging flow in porous materials.

We also use light microscopy on soft materials to directly view small regions of samples and resolve particles and structures within it. Custom built macroscopes allow us to get an overview of the sample and to follow bulk changes. Optical imaging techniques include Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which is a biomedical imaging technique, and multispectral imaging. These are used in conjunction with art conservation studies to monitor colour or spectral changes, and to identify damage, retouching and pigments non-invasively.

Recent research has been conducted in collaboration and with the support of the Sir Peter Mansfield MR Centre, Aston University, Schlumberger Research, Unilever Research, The National Gallery, EPSRC, The Royal Society, Anthony Nolan and a range of UK and international universities.