UCLA

Existing Para-Hydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) instrumentation relies on four factors to hyperpolarize endogenous substances externally, a static magnetic field (Bo), temperature, pressure, and software sample control. These hyperpolarized substances have enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals over 1000 fold, allowing for molecular imaging. We discuss the improvements in Bo generation, sample heating, sample manipulation, and software sample control to produce polarized HEP. We show that: 1) A voltage controlled voltage source, 2) A modified pinch valve, and 3) LabView software sample control developed in our laboratory doubles the HEP polarization from previous efforts.