Magnetic nanoparticle development for imaging and magnetophoretic rheology

Magnetic nanoparticles—tiny particles that can be steered and detected with magnetic fields—are being redesigned from scratch to make them far more responsive and easier to image. Current commercial nanoparticles, made of iron oxide, respond weakly to magnetic stimuli, limiting their use in medical imaging and diagnostics. This project aims to build a "foundry" that produces a new suite of magnetic composite nanoparticles with stronger, more distinctive magnetic signals. The researchers will also tailor detection methods to match each particle’s unique magnetic fingerprint. If successful, this could dramatically improve the resolution of magnetic particle imaging (MPI), a technique used to track disease markers in biological samples or to test the stability of drug nanoformulations. Better imaging resolution means clinicians could detect subtle changes in tissue or formulation breakdown earlier and more reliably. Outside medicine, the same particles could probe the physical properties of fluids or soft materials—a technique called magnetophoretic rheology—useful in manufacturing processes where material consistency matters. This is primarily fundamental science: developing new materials and detection methods in tandem. The work does not target a specific disease or product. But past advances in magnetic nanoparticles have already enabled targeted drug delivery and improved MRI contrast agents. A deeper understanding of how to engineer and read magnetic fingerprints could unlock similar unexpected applications in sensing, materials testing, or biomedical diagnostics.