A lung scan that currently takes minutes could shrink to seconds, and reveal not just the structure of airways but how well oxygen actually moves into the blood. The problem is speed and volume. To image lungs with inhaled xenon-129 gas, researchers first magnetise the gas using a process called spin-exchange optical pumping. But producing large quantities of highly magnetised gas quickly remains difficult. This project tackles that bottleneck by improving both the theoretical understanding of how spin polarisation works and the engineering of the polariser machines themselves. If successful, the work could make xenon MRI a routine clinical tool rather than a research curiosity. Hospitals would get compact, lower-cost polarisers that fit into daily workflows. Pharmaceutical companies—already using xenon MRI in trials for new respiratory drugs—would gain more sensitive, faster readouts of lung function. The project also aims to reduce the size, carbon footprint, and operating costs of the hardware. At its core, this is fundamental physics: understanding exactly how rubidium vapour transfers its spin to xenon atoms. That deeper knowledge could benefit other imaging techniques that rely on spin polarisation, even beyond lung MRI.
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Context: Xenon-129 (129Xe), a stable and non-radioactive noble gas isotope, can be highly magnetised using a process called spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP), which aligns the nuclear spin of the xenon atoms to create what is known as ‘hyperpolarised’ 129Xe. When inhaled during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this hyperpolarised 129Xe enables detailed visualisation of lung airspaces and, due to its solubility in blood and tissues, provides valuable insights into lung gas exchange and blood flow/gas uptake into well-perfused organs such as the brain and kidneys. Challenge: A major challenge in SEOP is producing large volumes of 129Xe gas rapidly while simultaneously maintaining high levels of polarisation. Addressing this challenge is crucial for two primary reasons: (i) ensuring that 129Xe MRI can be routinely used in clinical settings, particularly in hospitals where rapid and reliable access to diagnostic tools is essential, and (ii) increasing the sensitivity of hyperpolarised 129Xe signals to enable new and advanced applications in MRI that can support both medical research and clinical needs. Purpose: This project has two main objectives: (i) to bridge the gap between current theoretical models and experimental observations in SEOP physics, thereby advancing our understanding of spin polarisation physics, and (ii) to enhance polariser technology by optimising its efficiency, accessibility and performance, while ensuring long-term operational sustainability. These advancements aim to improve the sensitivity and broaden the application of hyperpolarised 129Xe MRI in clinical and research settings, while deepening our understanding of the fundamental principles of spin polarisation physics Research environment: This work will be conducted within the POLARIS group at the University of Sheffield, a global leader in hyperpolarised gas physics and MRI technique development. The POLARIS group is an interdisciplinary team of physicists and clinicians, uniquely positioned to translate technological advancements into practical applications within research and clinical environments. Potential Applications & Benefits: This project combines foundational research in SEOP physics with innovations in polariser technology, promising significant improvements in the performance of xenon polarisers. Enhanced sensitivity in xenon MRI, supported by higher-throughput polariser designs is of interest to a range of MRI vendors (e.g., GE, Siemens, Philips, Canon) and pharmaceutical companies, which are increasingly using xenon MRI as an outcome measure in clinical trials for new respiratory therapies. Collaborations at Sheffield, including those with major companies such as AstraZeneca and GSK, demonstrate existing support for these applications. Furthermore, planned advancements will focus on reducing the size, carbon footprint, and operational costs of polariser systems, making them feasible for clinical sites requiring compact, cost-effective, 'turn-key' devices suited to daily use. The project aims to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration between physics and medicine and strengthen Sheffield’s role as a hub for pioneering research in hyperpolarised gas technology. By advancing polariser technology and deepening insights into spin polarisation physics, we aim to equip MRI with enhanced capabilities that address critical clinical and research needs. A deeper understanding of spin polarisation physics not only supports improved xenon MRI applications but also provides valuable knowledge to the wider research community, driving innovations in other imaging modalities and techniques reliant on spin polarisation physics. These advancements will transform the clinical use of xenon MRI, making it more accessible and impactful for patients and healthcare providers, while empowering clinicians with more effective diagnostic tools.
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