Christina J. Hanson

Ultra-low-field MRI for the detection of liquid explosives

Recently it has become both possible and practical to perform MR at magnetic fields from µT to mT, the so-called ultra-low field (ULF) regime. SQUID sensor technology allows for ultra-sensitive detection while pulsed pre-polarizing fields greatly enhance signal. The instrumentation allows for unprecedented flexibility in signal acquisition sequences and simplified MRI instrumentation. Here we present the results for a new application of ULF MRI and relaxometry for the detection and characterization of liquids. We briefly describe the motivation and advantages of the ULF MR approach. We then present recent results from a 7- channel ULF MRI/relaxometer system constructed to non-invasively inspect liquids at a security check-point for the presence of hazardous material. The instrument was fielded to the Albuquerque International Airport in December, 2008, and results from that endeavor are also presented.

Applications of Ultra-Low Field Magnetic Resonance for Imaging and Materials Studies

Recently it has become both possible and practical to perform MR at magnetic fields from muT to mT, the so-called ultra-low field (ULF) regime. SQUID sensor technology allows for ultra-sensitive detection while pulsed pre-polarizing fields greatly enhance signal. The instrumentation allows for unprecedented flexibility in signal acquisition sequences. Here we present the results from several applications of ULF MR which exploit the unique abilities of the method. These include novel ways to image both brain structure and function either by combination of MRI with magnetoencephalography or direct observation of the interaction of neural currents with the spin population, and ULF relaxometry for detection and characterization of materials relevant to numerous non-invasive inspection applications. We briefly describe the motivation, advantages, and recent results of several new applications of the ULF MR method. Specifically, we present recent data measuring the interaction of weak ( ~ 10 muA) currents with a spin-population in a water phantom, as studied by ULF MRI with implications for neural current imaging. We also present data from a ULF MR relaxometer developed inspecting liquids in a check-point for the presence of hazardous material.

An instrument for sorting of magnetic microparticles in a magnetic field gradient

The goal of our bioassay technique is to demonstrate high throughput, highly parallel, and high sensitivity quantitative molecular analysis that will expand current biomedical research capabilities. To this end, we have built and characterized a magnetophoresis instrument using a flow chamber in a magnetic field gradient to sort magnetic microparticles by their magnetic moment for eventual use as biological labels.

Matching Solid-State to Solution-Phase Photoluminescence for Near-Unity Down-Conversion Efficiency Using Giant Quantum Dots.

Efficient, stable, and narrowband red-emitting fluorophores are needed as down-conversion materials for next-generation solid-state lighting that is both efficient and of high color quality. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are nearly ideal color-shifting phosphors, but solution-phase efficiencies have not traditionally extended to the solid-state, with losses from both intrinsic and environmental effects. Here, we assess the impacts of temperature and flux on QD phosphor performance. By controlling QD core/shell structure, we realize near-unity down-conversion efficiency and enhanced operational stability. Furthermore, we show that a simple modification of the phosphor-coated light-emitting diode device-incorporation of a thin spacer layer-can afford reduced thermal or photon-flux quenching at high driving currents (>200 mA).

Plasmonic giant semiconductor nanocrystals with enhanced light output and suppressed blinking for biomedical applications

Hybrid semiconductor-metal nanoparticles are of both fundamental and practical interest. CdSe semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) are emissive following direct absorption of photons, while nanosized metal structures exhibit plasmonic absorption and light scattering. In a hybrid nanoscale architecture, both optical phenomena can be integrated as metal-semiconductor coupling via non-radiative energy transfer and modifications of the radiative decay rates through Purcell effect, alter the emission mechanism resulting in a range of effects from photoluminescence (PL) quenching to enhancement.