Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy of Laser-Polarized Noble Gases for Biomedical, Geophysics, and Materials Science Investigations (Collaborative Research)

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9612237 Walsworth The emerging technology of the magnetic resonance of laser- polarized noble gases helium and xenon (3He and 129Xe) will be used in a three year program of biomedical, geophysics, and materials science investigations. A multi-institutional and multidisciplinary investigation will be conducted jointly by researchers at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. A subaward will support materials research at the North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina; another will provide support to Boston University for biomedical engineering studies associated with the project. Potential biomedical applications include the characterization of lipid membrane integrity (e.g. in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis); improved in vivo lung imaging (important for early tumor detection); and better measurement of blood flow to tissue (important for stroke and ischemia diagnosis). In geophysics and materials science, magnetic resonance measurements of laser- polarized noble gas may improve the understanding of the connectivity of pores in rocks, the structure, evolution, and theology of foams and emulsions; and the diffusion of gases through liquid crystalline polymer films. Specific aims of the proposed research using laser-polarized noble gas magnetic resonance are: I) perform biomedical studies of noble gas magnetic resonance imaging as a new tool for human disease diagnosis and research; ii) investigate the connectivity of pores in reservoir rocks; iii) investigate the structure and evolution of model foams and emulsions; iv) investigate the rheology of model foams and emulsions under stress or strain; v) investigate defects in liquid crystalline polymer films; vi) train graduate and undergraduate students as multidisciplinary researchers; and, vii) develop a computer-simulation teaching module for use by undergraduate and high school students to investigate how basic principles of physics are applied to lasers and magnetic resonance to yield serendipitous applications in biology, medicine, geology, and materials. ***