Upset Neighbors

Tom Lyttle (lyttle@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu)
Mon, 19 May 1997 14:55:28 -0500

Dear AMMRL Experts!
Our 500 MHz NMR is located on the sixth floor of our building. The
fifth floor contains Biomedical Engineers who, admittedly, do not understand
much about the difference between RF electromagnetic fields (EMF) and static
magnetic fields. They have given the lab directly below the magnet to a new
researcher (coming in at the assistant prof level) who will be doing a lot
of cell cultures. The axial stray field in that room (from our magnet)
ranges from 6 gauss at the ceiling to 1 gauss at the floor and an
"ambient" field of 4 gauss. These measurements were made by our OEHS person
using a "Annis Model 25 Magnetometer".

My problem is that the new person is insisting that she has checked
with her colleagues in her field and that that kind of a stray field will
mess up her experiments. They want me to fix the problem by moving the
magnet (not economically feasible) or by placing anywhere from 1 to 3 4'X8'
1/2 inch thick steel plates under the magnet. I told them that could be very
expensive with powering down the magnet and re-energizing with new cryogens,
shimming, etc. (At first they wanted a Faraday cage - they do not seem to
understand that will not help.) The obvious answer is to move her lab, but
they are not yet ready to accommodate that remedy.

Do you know where I can get any expert advise to "quench" their
concerns? Do you know of anyone who has had problems with cell cultures in
static magnetic fields? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Tom Lyttle
Director, Coordinated Instrumentation Facility
Tulane University
604 Lindy Boggs
New Orleans, LA 70118-5698

PH: (504) 865-5142
FAX:(504) 865-6768
E-MAIL: lyttle@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

http://www.tulane.edu/~cif

Tom Lyttle
Director, Coordinated Instrumentation Facility
Tulane University
604 Lindy Boggs
New Orleans, LA 70118-5698

PH: (504) 865-5142
FAX:(504) 865-6768
E-MAIL: lyttle@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

http://www.tulane.edu/~cif