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Progress in clinical applications of MRI based on electromagnetic metamaterials
LU Mengyu  ZHA Yunfei 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.033.


[Abstract] As an emerging technology, electromagnetic metamaterials can optimize MRI imaging performance without modifying the system hardware, while balancing safety and flexibility. Over the past two decades, electromagnetic metamaterials have achieved breakthrough progress in directions such as lightweighting, flexibility, and self-tuning, attracting increasing attention. However, most current studies only focus on some of their technical advantages in MRI, without incorporating comprehensive performance indicators. This makes it difficult to form a systematic understanding of the clinical application value of electromagnetic metamaterials, thus failing to provide adaptive references for multi-site diagnosis and treatment scenarios. This paper reviews the material properties and electromagnetic characterization of electromagnetic metamaterials, as well as their significant advantages in improving the local signal-to-noise ratio and resolution of MRI images, reducing specific absorption rate, enhancing radiofrequency field uniformity and magnetic field penetration depth, and supporting multi-nuclear imaging. It covers the latest research on anatomical sites including the head, heart, breast, abdomen, and limb joints. Additionally, this paper analyzes the limitations of current research, proposes future research directions, and provides a reference framework for the clinical application of electromagnetic metamaterials.
[Keywords] breast diseases；neurodegenerative diseases；wrist joint injuries；magnetic resonance imaging；electromagnetic metamaterials；radiofrequency field regulation；clinical diagnosis optimization

LU Mengyu   ZHA Yunfei*  

Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China

Corresponding author: ZHA Y F, E-mail: zhayunfei999@126.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-09-20
Accepted  2025-12-08
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.033
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.033.

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