# Critical Technology Development for 16 Tesla Head-only MRI Superconducting Persistent Magnets: V2

> **NIH NIH R01** · GENERAL ELECTRIC GLOBAL RESEARCH CTR · 2020 · $1,176,814

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Advanced brain research demands ultra-high field MRI systems. The 11.7 T Neurospin CEA MRI magnet
pushed the use of superconducting NbTi materials to the limit by using superfluid helium to cool. To design
and build a cost effective 16 T head-only MRI magnet, Nb3Sn wires must be used. To reduce the risks with such
a high-field, high-stress, and high-stored energy magnet, critical technologies must be developed before a 16 T
MRI system can be realized. One of the biggest risks is the cracking of the Nb3Sn coil composite matrix under
high mechanical and thermal stress. GE Research will design and test Nb3Sn test coils under high background
magnetic fields (~8.5 T) to evaluate the integrity of novel ceramic-fiber insulation composite matrix under high
mechanical and thermal stress. Persistent joints on unreacted Nb3Sn wires, reacted wires, and NbTi to Nb3Sn
wires will be developed and tested under external magnetic fields. Joint resistance is targeted to be <10-10 - 10-9
 for the magnet to operate in a persistent mode.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10006952
- **Project number:** 1R01EB029814-01
- **Recipient organization:** GENERAL ELECTRIC GLOBAL RESEARCH CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Minfeng Xu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,176,814
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-22 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10006952

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10006952, Critical Technology Development for 16 Tesla Head-only MRI Superconducting Persistent Magnets: V2 (1R01EB029814-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10006952. Licensed CC0.

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