Article: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/magnetic-detector-identifies-single-protons
Scientists at IBM have created a way to scan single protons by using a technique similar to the MRI's found in hospitals: Radio waves are fired at positive hydrogen ions aligned to each other(in terms of spin) by massive magnetic fields. The ions absorb the radio waves and send it back at a different frequency, allowing scientists to measure the returned radio waves in order to determine the location of the ion. The scientists claim it is a big step towards being able to get in depth looks at viruses, proteins, and other objects of similar size.
With recent topics being molecular structure and proteins, as well as a lab practical in using microscopes, this article presents interesting new information. Perhaps one day, this technology could be considered commonplace in school science labs.
What are the chances that these will replace standard MRIs in hospitals? Are there cost differences? And can it be safely applied to humans with minimal health risk?
ReplyDeleteSince these are still experimental technology, they will not be replacing MRI's for a while. For the same reason, the cost of a unit is not yet known. Furthermore, since they function similarly to standard MRI's, they pose no significant health risks.
DeleteHow are the radio waves sent back to the machine? And how can this machine find malignant tumors?
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DeleteBasically, the radio waves energize the electrons in the atom being scanned, causing them to move to a higher energy orbit. When the electrons decay, they release an energy pulse that can be picked up by the machine's sensors. You could in theory use this to find malignant tumors, but there are more effective methods available today. This is meant to get very in-depth looks at single viruses, etc.
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