Raman Research Institute develops sleek, portable MRI machine

In a breakthrough that could shrink brain-scanning MRI-like machines from room-sized setups to something that may fit anywhere, scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI) have developed a compact magnetometer that can detect magnetic fields with extreme precision even in noisy, real-world environments.

- 

This innovation could offer a quieter, portable, and more affordable alternative to MRI-like scans, especially in smaller clinics, mobile units, or rural healthcare settings. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) works by detecting tiny magnetic signals from inside the human body, especially the brain.

These signals are incredibly weak, which is why MRI machines need heavy shielding and “ultra silent” rooms. But the new device does not need any of that. It’s a fully optical, shield-free magnetometer - a small, light-based tool that can sense magnetic fields in noisy, real-world settings like clinics, outdoor sites, or even spacecraft.