Scientists at GE Global Research in Niskayuna have been awarded a four-year, $3.27 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new magnet technology that will hopefully make MRI machines cheaper and easier to build.
The new technology would eliminate the use of cryogenic liquids that are used to keep MRI magnets cool. Use of cryogenic fluids requires special venting and other specifications that make it costly and difficult to make buildings that can house MRIs. This is especially difficult in the developing world where the infrastructure is not in place.
MRI machines, which are used to get pictures of the brain, the heart and muscles, need to be cooled to minus 269 degrees Celsius.
It’s unclear what impact the research would have on the rest of the industry. Royal Philips Electronics makes MRI magnets at a factory in Latham.