Day 7

After the morning meeting today, I went down to the lab. Dr Hornak tried to set up the RF probe and find the signal to start characterizing it's sensitivity. However, the signal kept disappearing and there were a lot of other signals & noise as well. We eventually figured out why the signal kept disappearing—we had used superglue to stick the DPPH sample to the RF probe (DPPH has a paramagnetic signal so it can be used to determine the sensitivity of the probe). The superglue apparently reacted with the free radical in the DPPH which impacted the signal. To solve this we used a glue stick to stick the DPPH to the probe—the glue from the glue stick did not react with the DPPH.  Even after solving this issue, it was still difficult to see the signal, and we had difficulty in characterizing the RF probe's sensitivity with this signal. Dr Hornak started to look at this issue more closely,  trying to figure out how to fix the RF probe. After lunch, I generated some data using another RF probe and began graphing the data. On Monday we will look more closely at this data to determine the center of the probe.

Day 6

In the morning meeting today Matt showed us a video about imaging science at RIT and the freshman project. Once I got to my lab, I continued to refine the graphs I had made. I also learned more about my project.  For my project, I will be, in addition to modeling the magnetic field and creating plots, measuring the sensitivity of the RF (radio frequency) probe. After eating lunch with the other interns I returned to my lab and added some more data points to the graph to make it more accurate. I found out that one reason the FEMM model was not as accurate with respect to the measured Z data was because the model did not generate enough data points for it to be accurate on a small scale. To fix this, I made the model generate 1500 data points (10x more than before) for the Z data. When I compared this set of data to the measured Z data they were closer. Once I finished this I read about writing abstracts online and worked a little bit on my blog. I also learned how to take measurements with the RF probe. I am looking forward to continuing my project.

Day 5

This morning Matt showed us a short video about imaging science before we all left to go to our labs. In my lab I created some more excel plots with the data we had obtained from the FEMM models. After finishing up the graphs on the Y values (that I was working on yesterday), I started on similar graphs, except I used the measured Z values.
After a short lunch, I went back to my lab and continued working on the graphs. I found out that the measured data for the Z plots do not match the FEMM models as well as the Y data did.
Here's a sketch I made that details the Y and Z directions with respect to the iron yoke. (We are measuring the magnetic field above the iron yoke).

Day 4

Today I modeled one of the iron yokes for the LFEPR device using the FEMM software. Once I had the 2D  model completed I exported the data into Excel and started creating graphs. I created plots of the magnetic field above the yoke at 4 different points (at the center, 0.5mm from the center, 1mm from the center, and 1.5mm from the center). Shortly before lunch some of the other interns came and I showed them what I was doing. After lunch, I worked on converting the graphs of the measured magnetic field for the yokes from graphs of signal vs y to magnetic field vs y. Then I compared those to the graphs of the predicted magnetic field (the ones based off the FEMM models). I also converted the data I had from the FEMM model from inches to millimeters because the measured data was in millimeters. I am looking forward to learning more about my project tomorrow.

Here are some of my results:
This graph includes the data  from the measured and predicted magnetic field (the measured data is in blue, the predicted in red). I had to scale the measured data to make it fit with the predicted data. Once the data was scaled, however, it is clear that the FEMM model is fairly accurate.
The magnetic field is stronger at the left of the graph (where the Y values are lower).

 

Day 3

In the morning meeting today we learned about how to write an abstract and the type of abstract we would be writing for our presentation (a descriptive abstract). In the morning I mainly reviewed the notes I had taken on LFEPR and EPR. I then had the opportunity to go around and see what the other interns were doing and I learned about projects in the visual perception and machine vision and document restoration labs. Right before lunch I read through some tutorials on how to use a software called Finite Element Method Magnetics which I will be using in my project. I then experimented with the software and gained a better understanding of how to use it.

Day 2

After the morning meeting I met with Dr Hornak and learned a little more about EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopy and LFEPR (low frequency electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopy. I learned about some of the disadvantages of LFEPR (the signal to noise ratio is not as good). I also learned more about the project and what I would be doing in the coming weeks. Then we went down to the lab where I watched how they used the MOUSE instrument. I took notes and then spent some time writing up instructions for the use of the EPR-MOUSE as well. I met some of the other interns for lunch in the reading room. Then I returned to the lab and read a little more about EPR and finished up creating the instructions. After reviewing the instructions and making some changes I read some more articles on EPR. I also read a chapter from a book on EPR.

Day 1

Today was the first day of my internship in the magnetic resonance imaging group at the Center for Imaging Science at RIT. In the beginning of the day all of the interns went to the Red Barn for team building exercises. These exercises were fun and taught us about problem solving and the idea of reaching a consensus in a group. After the team building exercises we went back to the reading room and had pizza for lunch. After lunch a few of us went to complete the in-processing.
After I got my ID and computer account I went to meet my lab group. I first met with Professor Hornak and he taught me about EPR and the goals for the LFEPR device that he and his group were working on. Then he showed me the lab and the LFEPR device there. He gave me some posters and notes to read regarding EPR and LFEPR. I took these to the lab and took notes on them.  I found the concepts interesting and I am looking forward to a very fun internship.