There has been progress on a joint project with Monash University to construct noble-gas polarisers for MRI imaging
In December 2016, we succeeded in the domestic production of noble-gas-polarising cells called “optical pumping cells”. This is a capability that has not previously been available in Australia.
The cells are being utilised in a joint project with Monash University in which a noble-gas polarising station has been constructed to hyperpolarise 3He and 129Xe at the Monash Biomedical Imaging Centre (MBI) for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
One of two optical-pumping cells produced entirely in Australia
Subsequent to constructing the cells we succeeded in polarising 129Xe isotope gas and confirmed the nuclear polarisation of the gas with MRI imaging. The gas was polarised and imaged again to confirm the repeatability of the process. Reaching these milestones put the project on track to the completion of the polariser and the transition to routine operation.
MRI image of polarised 129Xe gas in a glass cell
This project has been funded by an ARC LIEF grant and a Cass Foundation grant. Dr Wai Tung (Hal) Lee in the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering leads the construction of the polariser. The chief investigator of the joint project is Prof Frank Thien of Monash University. Team members include Prof Gary Egan of MBI and Prof Bruce Thompson of Monash University, with participants from the MBI, the University of Queensland, and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Published: 23/03/2017