A bulk MgB2 magnet demonstrator for biomedical applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
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Organisations
Publications
Hills M
(2019)
A Compact High Field Magnet System for Medical Applications
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Moseley D
(2022)
A new MgB 2 bulk ring fabrication technique for use in magnetic shielding or bench-top NMR systems
in Superconductor Science and Technology
Moseley D
(2021)
Improved pulsed field magnetisation in MgB 2 trapped-field magnets
in Superconductor Science and Technology
| Description | Small but powerful magnets have many possible applications with one of the most interesting being magnetic drug delivery. For most applications, magnetic drug delivery requires magnetic fields greater than those possible in conventional magnets. Therefore, new materials and techniques are required. Superconductors offer one way to achieve these high magnetic fields but require low working temperatures and a methodology for capturing the magnetic field. Pulsed field magnetisation is the only viable methodology for many scenarios. In this work, we have explored pulsed field magnetisation to further understand the parameters which limit its use. We have illustrated the importance of the cooling infrastructure and the affects of modifying the magnetic pulse. In addition, we have studied a relatively under-explored superconductor: magnesium diboride. Magnesium diboride is light, easy to manufacture and cheap - seemingly making it the ideal material for magnetic drug delivery. In collaboration with Oxford University, we have systematically studied the manufacturing process by measuring the absolute magnetic field performance. By establishing the ideal processing settings, we have begun to understand the internal properties limiting magnesium diboride magnets. |
| Exploitation Route | Two important outcomes have originated from this work. Firstly, we have acquired a much greater understanding of pulsed field magnetisation in MgB2. This field is still in its infancy and was lacking a clear pathway for improvement. Our work has illuminated the importance of a variety of experimental parameters. For example, we have illustrated how the cooling environment can alter the magnetic flux dynamics leading to improved trapped magnetic field. With this understanding, and with our simultaneous development of computational modelling, a methodology for systematically improving pulse field magnetisation now exists. Designing and constructing the additional pulsed field magnetisation system allowed us to build on our existing knowledge. This enabled several significant improvements to the charging system. These were in 2 distinct areas: the usability of the system and enhancement of the pulsing capabilities. The original system was designed for a lab-based environment with a knowledgeable user in control. An understanding of the system was essential for the safe and consistent use. The updated systems are now self-contained and are operated solely through a single computer program. This leads to a considerably safer and more portable system with the potentially dangerous currents protected from the user. This work has been essential in demonstrating that pulsed field magnetisation is a viable option for a medical environment where users will require a simple and safe system. In combination with these developments, the internal electronics of the pulsed field magnetisation system were modified. These improvements have allowed generation of greater magnetic fields and the systematic control of these fields. For the first time in magnesium diboride, we have illustrated that manipulation of the magnetic pulse can alter the final trapped field. This has opened an exciting new avenue for pulsed field magnetisation in magnesium diboride. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | The impact of this work is recorded against grant ref EP/P026427/1 |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Large Bulk (RE)BCO superconducting magnets for desktop NMR/MRI |
| Amount | £1,135,158 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/T014679/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 01/2023 |
| Title | Research data supporting ''A new MgB2 bulk ring fabrication technique for use in magnetic shielding or bench-top NMR systems'' |
| Description | Data supporting paper on A new MgB2 bulk ring fabrication technique for use in magnetic shielding or bench-top NMR systems. The data is magnetic field data recorded at the centre of the MgB2 cylinders during the measurements described in the paper. Data is in the form of text files and OJPU files . Use the free Origin file viewer available at https://www.originlab.com/viewer/dl.aspx to view the OJPU files |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/337862 |