From theory to practice: students enhance an accessible MRI scanner

In the Project Work course for electrical engineering master’s students, teams spend a semester tackling a single, real-world project. The course lets students apply domain knowledge from their studies and assess, among other things, the project’s commercial potential. It serves three master’s programmes: Automation and Electrical Engineering, Health Technology Engineering, and Hydrogen and Electric Systems.

One team had the chance to work on an accessible MRI scanner that has been under development at Aalto University for several years. It is a low-field device, smaller than conventional MRI machines. In the future, a commercial version based on this research could, for example, speed up stroke diagnosis by allowing the scanner to be transported by ambulance to the patient.

The device can already produce MR images, but its electronics and signal quality still require refinement. According to the project supervisor, University Lecturer Lauri Palva, students were free to choose which aspects to improve. Their work was guided by a master’s thesis that evaluated the system’s performance and pinpointed its weaknesses.

Fewer artifacts, better images

Electrical engineering students Elias Viitanen and Teemu Rauha were part of a four-person team got to work on the accessible MRI device during the course. They were responsible for designing new filters for the imaging device’s gradient system. The goal of the new filters is to reduce interference in the device and improve image quality.

Both major in Electrical Power and Energy Engineering within the Automation and Electrical Engineering master’s programme, and both say the course offered valuable learning and strong teamwork.

Viitanen found it most interesting to get to know the MRI system, which was essential for being able to design the filters. He also says he learned a lot about project work and coordinating tasks within the group. ‘It has been interesting to be able to connect the project with things learned in earlier courses,’ Viitanen says.

Rauha notes that they began by simulating the filters. He says it was fascinating to see what the simulations captured and what they hadn’t considered. According to him, the best part of the course was the strong project spirit. ‘Everyone has done their part, and we get along very well as a group! It’s also been fun to be able to measure our own handiwork,’ he says.

Viitanen also found working on the project enjoyable. ‘We’ve shared ideas and made sure everyone could move forward in their area,’ he adds. ‘We met with the group and our supervisor every week, which was especially helpful toward the end.’

Palva says he followed the team’s work with delight. ‘Student projects generally go well, but this group’s team spirit was exceptional. It’s wonderful to see how students light up when they get to work on something truly interesting—the energy carries the work forward.’