This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop thin-film high-temperature superconductors (HTS) with superior properties that do not degrade in high magnetic fields for applications as high-performance sensor coils in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The superconductor structure will be engineered at nanoscale with the controlled distribution of impurities that act as flux pinning sites that reduce the MRI radio frequencies (rf) loss at high fields. A series of HTS thin films with different layer parameters will be grown. The films will be characterized by rf measurements on resonator structures patterned on the films. The planned product is a high-performance HTS MRI sensor coil that operates in high magnetic fields with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 5 to 10 times higher than that of present HTS coils, and 15 to 30 times higher than that of copper coils.
The broader/commercial impact of this project will be the potential to address the MRI market needs of shorter scan time and increased resolution as MRI systems migrate towards higher magnetic fields. This will lead to improved patient comforts, clinical diagnoses and drug discoveries. The current addressable market size for MRI sensor coils is about $88 million per year in the Unites States and $183 million per year worldwide.
Intellectual Merit: This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aimed to increase the commercial use of high temperature superconductors (HTS) in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by developing thin film superconductors with superior properties in high magnetic fields. Specifically, the innovation realized HTS thin films with increased quality factors at high magnetic fields for use as high performance MRI sensor coils. The resistive loss in the films at MRI radio frequencies (rf) was proposed to be reduced with a novel layered superconductor. The superconductor structure was engineered to reduce the rf loss at high fields. The research objectives were to (a) realize the proposed layered nanostructure (b) characterize the quality factor and resistive loss of the engineered films at rf (c) demonstrate superior high-field rf properties over standard films. A series of HTS thin films with different layer parameters were grown. The films were characterized by rf measurements on resonator structures patterned on the films. A prototype commercially relevant HTS film with optimized layer parameters showing superior rf performance for MRI was the end product of the Phase I research. Broader Impact: The significance of the innovation is that it addresses the MRI market needs of shorter scan times and increased resolution as MRI systems migrate towards higher magnetic fields. It will enable significantly shorter scan times and higher MRI resolution than those possible at present, leading to improved patient comfort, clinical diagnoses and drug discovery. The immediate market application is the MRI sensor coil market. The planned product is a high performance HTS MRI sensor coil that operates in high fields with signal-to-noise ration (SNR) of 5x to 10x of present HTS coils, and 15x to 30x of copper coils. The addressable market size for MRI sensor coils is ~$88M per year in the United States and $183M per year worldwide, growing at 10% per year.
