Wearable antenna for MRI

Primary Investigators:
Xinqiang Yan
 
Brief Description of Project:
This project is to develop flexible, lightweight, wearable, and stretchable radiofrequency (RF) antenna arrays for 7T in extremity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such as thigh and leg. Wearable antennas improve patient comfort and can be formed into desired shapes to match the human anatomy of interest. Therefore, compared to conventional rigid designs, they exhibit improved filling factors and signal-to-noise ratios. The first aim of this project is to build near-field wearable antennas made of loop resonators and dipoles, and miniature and flexible balance-to-unbalance (balun) circuits. The second aim of this project is the test the coil on the workbench and on the state-of-art 7T whole-body MRI scanner located at Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS).

Desired Qualifications:
Some knowledge of circuits. Interested in medical imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging or circuit design. Strong motivation for academic research and scientific publication.
 
Nature of Supervision:
Working closely with the PI, graduate students, and other neuroimaging scientists. Weekly individual meetings.
 
A Brief Research Plan (period is for 10 weeks):
2 weeks - project overview and plan development
7 weeks - project implementation
1 weeks - project write-up and presentation
 
Number of Open Slots: 1
 
Contact Information:
Name: Xinqiang Yan
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Email: xinqiang.yan@vanderbilt.edu