Can MRI Detect a Light Bulb Inside a Closed Box?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether it is possible to locate a glowing light bulb inside a closed, non-transparent box. Participants explore various theoretical and practical methods for detecting the bulb's position, considering constraints and different types of bulbs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using imaging techniques such as X-ray or thermal imaging to determine the bulb's location.
  • Others propose methods based on the bulb's heat output, such as thermal imaging of the box's surfaces or measuring temperature differentials.
  • Some ideas include using mechanical methods like finding the box's balance point or shaking the box to detect movement.
  • Several participants mention using sonar or ultrasound to locate the bulb, with discussions on its feasibility through air.
  • There are suggestions to use electromagnetic methods, such as detecting magnetic fields or RF interference, depending on the bulb type.
  • Creative approaches include using animals with GPS, extracting light waves, or employing a metal detector for traditional bulbs.
  • Some participants challenge the feasibility of certain methods, questioning contradictions in the problem statement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single method or solution. Multiple competing views and methods are presented, and the discussion remains unresolved with various hypotheses and approaches being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of constraints such as the type of bulb and the box's material, which may affect the proposed methods. There is also mention of safety concerns regarding the wattage of the bulb.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts in physics, engineering, and imaging techniques, as well as individuals curious about creative problem-solving in theoretical scenarios.

  • #31
One could go back to basics with calculus such as the heat equation or consider this: Place a thermistor on the face of each side of the box then connect each pair of thermistors (x,y and, z,y planes for example) leads to a differential amplifier on a split supply. Using this approach the one use the differential voltage (+/- voltage swing) to determine which planes (side of the box ) is getting warmer. Are you sure the wattage of your light bulb will not start a fire or cause some other safety problem?
 
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  • #32
rons99 said:
By using thermal camera shoot the box surface from the top, front and right side could be known the light bulb position. Good luck.

rons99 said:
By using thermal camera shoot the box surface from the top, front and right side could be known the light bulb position. Good luck.
images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTxKuwMQtCQESwXaOhujePd4bPh5n8jnxq7wPII0I7Rop8xeJiu.jpg
 
  • #33
The thermal image is a cool way to do it. Maybe use the idea to build something like a new kind of trap. Perhaps feeding an input signal to a system operating in a closed or open loop control system
 
  • #34
It's in the box
 
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  • #35
Ygggdrasil said:
I suspect these questions are related to the questions that you've been asking about brain imaging in the biology form.

Anyway, if the bulb is incandescent, you could do thermal imaging (if the box is transparent to IR) to estimate the temperature of the filament inside the bulb. Since the light is produced by a well known physical mechanism, you could then model the spectrum of light output by the bulb based on measured parameters.
Yes well, I've been thinking about ways to visualize the actual electrical synapses inside a person's head. Well, I got an idea of lighting up the sodium ion with wavelength 589nm, or the solar roof technique, but both requires looking inside the brain. I swear I saw my brain light up one night, I'm just not sure how people retrieve that signal(through the eyes?). We know MRI can retrieve radio signal because it passes through, but the resolution is low. So, I'd like some idea on how to visualize electrical synapses
 
  • #36
fredreload said:
Yes well, I've been thinking about ways to visualize the actual electrical synapses inside a person's head. Well, I got an idea of lighting up the sodium ion with wavelength 589nm, or the solar roof technique, but both requires looking inside the brain. I swear I saw my brain light up one night, I'm just not sure how people retrieve that signal(through the eyes?). We know MRI can retrieve radio signal because it passes through, but the resolution is low. So, I'd like some idea on how to visualize electrical synapses
I can't speak for your brain lighting up. But you may find some useful information about visualizing electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum from this thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-decides-the-colour-of-light.842780/
 
  • #37
21. Hit the box and calculate its vibrational modes on the x,y, and z axis. From the time response and the mass you should be able to calculate the moment of inertia and thus the mass distribution and thus the location of the bulb.
 
  • #38
collinsmark said:
I can't speak for your brain lighting up. But you may find some useful information about visualizing electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum from this thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-decides-the-colour-of-light.842780/
Right, I know the visible spectrum of light, the thing is most electromagnetic radiation of visible spectrum does not pass through the skull. I was able to see it through the reverse projection in the eye(not sure how that works but it was visible, it shouldn't be a dream), but even then my eyes are closed, so how do people retrieve that light remains a mystery, thing is technology like this or the brain does not appear over the years, most of them remain in secret
 
  • #39

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