Flux guiding in an aluminum honeycomb lattice observed through magnetic resonance imaging

Using a finite integration (FI) electromagnetic model of a simulation software, a three dimensional section of aluminum honeycomb is analyzed. It is shown that, at 8 MHz, this structure behaves as a flux guide, preventing the attenuation of a penetrating magnetic field. The flux guiding effect was confirmed through MRI measurement of water inside an aluminum honeycomb panel. It was found that the aluminum lattice extended the range of the RF magnetic field used in MRI, allowing measurements to be made at a greater distance from a surface coil MRI probe than would otherwise be possible. The flux guiding effect is theorized to be the result of the structure of the aluminum honeycomb lattice. This structure parallels the construction of other engineered materials designed to have artificially high apparent permeability at certain frequencies.