Narongrit’s research focuses on RF hardware for MRI. Recent research in this area involves utilizing stretchable and flexible coils, which provide adaptability to various anatomical structures, potentially enhancing imaging quality and patient comfort. However, these coils suffer from frequency shifts from changing impedance during stretch, compression, and bending. Despite prior research exploring potential solutions to this issue, a stable, general-purpose automatic tuning and matching system for these coils remains elusive, limiting their clinical viability. Narongit’s project aims to bridge this gap by innovating and evaluating an automatic tuning system to retune the resonance frequency across all stretchable coils. The work will shape research on conformable antennas and devices, extending its impact beyond MRI to various wearable devices.

 

Narongrit says it is an honor that his proposal was selected from many excellent proposals.

 

“This achievement not only reflects our hard work and dedication as researchers, but also emphasizes Purdue’s dedication for engineering research and its dedication to fostering innovation, said Narongrit. “I hope that our research and design will be translated into real-world applications, extending its impact beyond MRI to advance the development of wearable devices.”

 

The IEEE MTT-S Graduate Fellowship is an internationally competitive award whose recipients are selected based on a research proposal and academic potential and consists of a $6,000 fellowship and travel funding to the awards presentation. The Graduate Fellowships were awarded at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium in Washington, D.C., in June.

 

Narongrit earned an MS in Biomedical Engineering in 2024 from Purdue’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in ECE under the supervision of Edward J. Delp, Charles William Harrison Distinguished Professor of ECE and Joseph V. Rispoli, Adjunct Associate Professor of ECE and Biomedical Engineering.