Micro NMR Technology

Lecture language: English

Content of teaching:

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or magnetic resonance in general (MR) is a powerful, non-invasive technique useful for gaining atomic level structural details on samples ranging from soluble small molecules to large membrane bound proteins. Traditional NMR hardware used for exciting the sample and detecting the signal is traditionally on the macroscale in terms of physical dimensions. Recently, miniaturization of NMR systems has developed into an active research area driven primarily by the enhanced mass sensitivity and the ability for system integration with smaller NMR detectors. In this seminar course, we will explore some of the state-of-the-art applications of micro-NMR, including visiting research laboratories within Germany active in micro-MR. A selection of representative research papers will be provided, from which each student will select one paper to learn in depth and finally present in a style as if they performed the research themselves. The course will first offer a series of introductory lectures, followed by a series of tutorial sessions in which each student may discuss with experts. Finally, individual student presentations with discussion will be held.

Topics to be offered:

  • Novel micro-NMR detectors (solenoid, strip line, microslot, CMOS, printed, etc.)
  • Novel nano-MR detectors (MRFM, NV centers, etc.)
  • Computation (design optimization, MOR, MRI image processing, NMR spectral prediction, etc.)
  • Signal enhancement strategies (hyperpolarization DNP, PHiP, Xe, refrigeration)
  • System hyphenation (chromatography, flow cells, LoC, orthogonal analysis, etc.)
  • Complex mixtures (metabolomics, in vivo applications on small organisms)
  • Biomedical MR sensors (catheters, implantable, etc.)

Workload:

Course participation 28 h
Preparation of own lecture 60 h
Self study time 35 h

Bibliography:

All literature journal articles will be provided as PDF files to the students. Example research journal sources will include Nature, Nature Communications, Science, PNAS, JMR, etc. For general reading, some recommended sources are:

  • Principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Microscopy, Callaghan, P (1994), Oxford University Press.
  • Spin Dynamics: Basics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 2nd Ed., Levitt, M (2013), John Wiley & Sons.
  • NMR Probeheads for Biophysical and Biomedical Experiments – Theoretical Principles, Mispelter, J; Lupu, M; Briguet, A (2006) Imperial College Press.