Lazy Protons

This image is a graphical representation of randomly oriented idle (lazy) protons sitting to be imaged with Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI). My research is about developing new diagnostic mechanical property imaging techniques utilizing an MRI system. Although this imaging technique, which is called Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE), cannot be visualized graphically since it at least spans 4 dimensions, the starting point of magnetically polarized hydrogen atoms (protons) are rendered in this image. This image is actually just the first frame of a video file that has been created in a computer environment for introducing principles of MRI to the audience who has no priori background knowledge in MRI principles. The arrows crossing the body of red spheres, which are protons, indicate the direction of magnetic field created by the spin of the proton itself. Yellow crescents on the protons are placed to make it possible to see the rotation of the protons in an animated version of this image.