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The CMB 1.116 Mock MRI Scanner allows test subjects to practice with & get comfortable with a noisy & claustrophobic machine prior to spending money performing tests with a real MRI. The net result is less wiggling in the machine, which means less wasted money on failed tests. This simulator was built in 2015 by Moody College of Communication Technology Services for Dr. James Booth and is shared resource for use by researchers in Moody College of Communication. Researchers affiliated with the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin who are interested in using the MRI simulator may request access via this form.

The MRI simulator can be simply described as a stage-prop version of an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine which would be found in a hospital. It has a set of lights & speakers in an enclosure which looks like a real MRI machine. It has a 6' long motorized moving table, but otherwise, no moving parts. The machine requires no specific safety procedures since it doesn't actually contain any magnets, motors, nor sensors. Even though it is not technically dangerous, the manufacturer warns that "participants new to the MRI environment may become anxious or panic from the close confines of the enclosure in the Simulator.  All efforts should be made by the researcher to quickly remove the participant, if such an event were to occur." Overall, the device is about 12' long, 7' tall and 4-6' wide (depending on how hinged side wings are set up). The MRI simulator plugs into a household electrical outlet and features a single 3.5mm miniplug audio input for its internal speakers. There is no volume control provided within the machine - playback volume is controlled upstream via an external volume control. A simple control panel drives the light, fan & table movement. A small wireless remote allows a test subject to move themselves in & out of the machine (which is a handy way for researchers to test their experiments when they are working alone in the lab).

 Additional photos of the facility are available in this gallery.