Development of an in situ AC magnetometer for the measurement of time dependent hysteresis of nanoscale superparamagnetic particles (Masters by Research Project)

Project Supervisor: Dr Tim Mercer (TMercer1@uclan.ac.uk)

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) based hyperthermia is the process of locally heating tissue with magnetic nanoparticles using an external alternating magnetic field. This technique can be utilised in the in vivo targeted destruction of cancer cells.

Characterisation of magnetic nanoparticles under AC field conditions has not been routinely measured and reported in the literature to date. This is a necessary parameter for the characterisation of the heating effect (SAR) of magnetic nanoparticles.

This project will involve the development of an in situ AC magnetometer for the measurement of time dependant hysteresis of nanoscale superparamagnetic particles. This novel approach will allow for measurements of magnetic properties under identical field conditions to those of a hyperthermia apparatus.