IBM Research's nanoMRI microscope
IBM Research scientists, in collaboration with the Center for Probing the Nanoscale at Stanford University, have demonstrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with volume resolution 100 million times finer than conventional MRI. This result, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), signals a significant step forward in tools for molecular biology and nanotechnology by offering the ability to study complex 3D structures at the nanoscale. By extending MRI to such fine resolution, the scientists have created a microscope that, with further development, may ultimately be powerful enough to unravel the structure and interactions of proteins, paving the way for new advances in personalized healthcare and targeted medicine. This achievement stands to impact the study of materials from proteins to integrated circuits for which a detailed understanding of atomic structure is essential.
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Researchers Create Microscope With 100 Million Times Finer Resolution Than Current MRI
Electron micrograph showing the end of the silicon cantilever with several virus particles attached. Adapted from Fig. 1 of the PNAS article.
clipped from www.physorg.com
clipped from www.physorg.comRendering of the key elements of a magnetic resonance force microscope. An ultrasensitive silicon cantilever detects the tiny magnetic force between a nanoscale magnetic tip (green) and the hydrogen nuclei present in the virus particles placed at the end of the cantilever (blue, seen in the reflection). Nanoscale magnetic resonance
imaging is achieved by manipulating the hydrogen nuclei in the sample with a radiofrequency magnetic field generated by a "microwire" (red). A sensitivity improvement of 100 million is achieved compared to conventional magnetic resonance imaging.
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The IBM MRFM uses a magnetic sensor tip which picks up on the minute magnetic forces of hydrogen atoms in the sample, called a resonant slice. The slice sits beneath a tiny silicon cantilever which vibrates in the presence of minute magnetic fields. Vibrations are tracked by a laser interferometer, recording 3D details of whatever's at that location. Image courtesy of IBM.
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Researchers Create Microscope With 100 Million Times Finer Resolution Than Current MRI
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IBM Press room - 2009-01-13 IBM Research Creates Microscope With 100 Million Times Finer Resolution Than Current MRI - United States
IBM extends 3D MRI to nanoscale with 100 million times finer resolution
Nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging — PNAS
