Visualization of text on bowed sheets via High-resolution 3D-Magnetic Resonance Micro-imaging for potential reading of closed books: the proof-of-concept
2026/04/14
Non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging on clinical MR-scanners at spatial resolution ~1mm³ could in principle be used also for insights in the structure of valuable ancient objects like books if the spatial resolution could be improved. We demonstrate, that Magnetic-Resonance-Microscopy is even able to visualize printed letters at thickness < 30 µm on superposed paper-sheets. The physical-technical methodology is based on prototype hardware installed as insert on a human MR-scanner relying on strong magnetic and gradient-fields with sensitive radiofrequency-sensors. A negative contrast mechanism, adding MR-visible chemically-inert liquid, is necessary, its removal being potentially harmful to valuable paper sheets. For visualization of text firstly the letter thickness (~20 µm) and exact positions were determined before adjusting optimized resolution and field-of-view (FOV) in measurement and reprocessing of 3D-data for slice-positioning in the plane of the paper sheets. The advantages of a semi-automatic data processing method for visualization on the bowed paper-sheets are demonstrated. In contrast to micro-Computed tomography based on absorption contrast, MR-microscopy can visualize non-metallic printed letters and offers higher spatial resolution than Terahertz imaging. As a preclinical MR-imaging tool (with limited FOV) it is more widely available than neutron-tomography. The reported MRM-technology might be also of interest for radiological high-resolution applications such as MR-based histology.
Berg, A.G., Seewald, A.K. Visualization of text on bowed sheets via High-resolution 3D-Magnetic Resonance Micro-imaging for potential reading of closed books: the proof-of-concept. Commun Eng 5, 71 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-026-00614-7