Development, analysis and application of mathematical methods for Magnetic Particle Imaging (MathMPI)

• Applicant: Dr. Wolfgang Erb
• Subject Area: Mathematics
• Term: from 2014 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262269551

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is an emerging imaging modality that determines the spatial distribution of magnetic nanoparticles by measuring the non-linear magnetization response of the particles to an applied magnetic field. MPI offers a high dynamic spatial and temporal resolution and, in contrast to other tomographic methods, it does not employ any ionizing radiation. This makes MPI a very promising imaging modality for biomedical diagnostics. This project addresses for the first time the systematic study of mathematical questions related to MPI. The central goal of this network is the development, analysis and application of mathematical methods to improve the reconstruction quality in MPI. In particular, taylored to the specific needs of MPI we develop elaborate reconstruction algorithms, analyze and refine the underlying MPI models and test the new methods numerically on real biomedical data. To achieve these goals this network provides an interdisciplinary platform for researchers from various scientific fields including applied mathematics, modeling, image processing, medical physics as well as electrical engineering. Two of the meetings organized in this network are planned in form of study groups. This format is particularly suitable for interdisciplinary teamwork, generating synergies and strengthen the communication within the network.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks