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Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition
Thesis (MEngSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867614079225430016 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Machtelinckx, Timon |
| author2 | Du Plessis, Stefan |
| author_browse | Du Plessis, Stefan Machtelinckx, Timon |
| author_facet | Du Plessis, Stefan Machtelinckx, Timon |
| author_sort | Machtelinckx, Timon |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEngSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136275 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:20.037Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136275 Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition Machtelinckx, Timon Du Plessis, Stefan Swart, Wayne Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Thesis (MEngSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Machtelinckx, TR. 2026. Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/d2f3a468-c854-4dac-bd10-ddbe343fb84a Low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers a cost-effective pathway to accessible medical scanning in resource-limited settings. This thesis presents the design, optimisation, and construction of a small-scale low-field MRI system for signal acquisition by making use of permanent magnets and locally sourced components. A Halbach cylinder was employed to generate the static magnetic field B0. A parallel genetic algorithm with an island model enabled efficient optimisation, yielding a simulated field strength of 50.2mT and a homogeneity of 128.73 ppmpp over a 60mm spherical volume. Manufacturing feasibility was addressed via tolerance analysis and additive manufacturing, resulting in a magnet assembly achieving an experimental field strength of 49.5mT and homogeneity of 7535 ppmpp. The system includes a complete radiofrequency chain with a solenoidal coil, software-defined radio, amplification and switching components. Spin-echo signals were successfully generated and detected with a signal-to-noise ratio of 14.39, confirming the viability of magnetic resonance signal acquisition at low field for this system. This work establishes a reproducible framework for low-field MRI development in low- and middle-income countries, providing a foundation for portable imaging, pre-clinical applications, and accessible diagnostic technology. Masters 2026-04-30T11:40:52Z 2026-04-30T11:40:52Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136275 en Stellenbosch University 169 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Machtelinckx, Timon Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition |
| title | Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition |
| title_full | Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition |
| title_fullStr | Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition |
| title_short | Design and Construction of a Low-Cost, Low-Field MRI System for MR Signal Acquisition |
| title_sort | design and construction of a low cost low field mri system for mr signal acquisition |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136275 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT machtelinckxtimon designandconstructionofalowcostlowfieldmrisystemformrsignalacquisition |