The Siemens-built fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device is a powerful new resource for researchers campuswide, statewide, and throughout the region, offering new interdisciplinary possibilities for those in health sciences, engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, and many other fields.

UD’s new magnet, built in Germany, has a 3-Tesla power rating, which makes it about twice as strong as most clinical MRI devices, and is designed to provide high-resolution images of everything from brain activity to muscles, discs, bones and organs, to name just a few applications.

The imaging is done by ingenious manipulation of hydrogen atoms, triggered by a series of interactions between the magnet and radio waves.

Mapping and analyzing brain activity is possible in the fMRI because the brain requires more oxygen in areas that are active and oxygenated blood has different magnetic properties.

The new building also has a second-floor room prepared for a 9-Tesla magnet when funding is available, and that magnet will add capacity for other researchers.

A third area of imaging in the building will have apparatus such as sonar, microscopes, computers, and other instruments.