Joel Mobley will give a Science Cafe on March 22 on the physics of magnetic resonance imaging. The Science Cafe will be held at Lusa Bakery Bistro and Bar, 1120 North Lamar Blvd, Oxford. The Oxford Science Cafe website can be found here: https://www.phy.olemiss.edu/oxfordsciencecafe/
Abstract
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of medical conditions. Since its clinical debut in the 1980’s, it has evolved to provide a level of anatomical detail not possible with any other imaging modality, all without the focus of an ultrasound probe or the directionality of an x-ray beam. The fundamental principles at work in MRI include quantum physics, spinning tops, flipping magnets and simple patterns of bright and dark. The aim of this talk is to remove some of the mystery of how the manipulation of the weakest magnets in the atom leads to the MR image and to look at emerging medical treatments enabled by MRI.