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Day 1 of MRI and NMR education: Interactive visualization of MR basics
Lars G. Hanson1,2

1Center for Magnetic Resonance, DTU Elektro, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, 2Danish Research Centre for MR, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

Synopsis

It is challenging to teach and learn the very basics of Magnetic Resonance as used in NMR and MRI. A simple approach is demonstrated that provides accurate understanding of basic MR phenomena, also for non-technical students. An interactive free simulation tool is used that invites student exploration of Compass and Nuclear MR via browser or app. This CompassMR simulator offers you a unique opportunity to finally make anybody intuitively understand MR in minutes, even your parents who always wanted to know what you are doing.

Purpose

Students of MR are provided with a basic understanding, and MR educators with tools for teaching it.

Outline of Content

After introducing nuclear magnetization and polarization, compass needle dynamics are taken as a starting point for introducing MR, excitation, detection, FIDs, FFT and relaxation. The difference to nuclear MR follows from spin, that results in precession and modified on- and off-resonance dynamics that are also explored.

Summary

Freely available material for introducing MR is demonstrated. It includes the CompassMR web-based simulator [1] that runs on most smart devices, and provides users with a good MR understanding in minutes, and educators with a valuable tool. It offers a good starting point for use of the more advanced Bloch Simulator [2]. References to typically unnecessary, and oft-misinterpreted quantum mechanics, are avoided [3,4].

Acknowledgements

No acknowledgement found.

References

[1] The CompassMR simulator and app, HTML5/JavaScript-based, http://drcmr.dk/CompassMR
[2] The Bloch Simulator for continued MR education, Flash/ActionScript-based, http://drcmr.dk/bloch
[3] Hanson, LG. Is Quantum Mechanics necessary for understanding Magnetic Resonance? Concepts in Magn Reson, 32A(5):329, 2008
[4] Hanson LG. The Ups and Downs of Classical and Quantum Formulations of MR, in „Anthropic Awareness: The Human Aspects of Scientific Thinking in NMR...”, edited by Csaba Szantay Jr., Elsevier 2015.

Figures

The CompassMR web page and app, http://drcmr.dk/CompassMR

Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med. 25 (2017)
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