First Funding Period 2016-2019:
B10 Spin+Chemical Sensing: Transfer of angular momentum between electron and nuclear spins for NMR signal enhancement
Dr. Kerstin Münnemann (Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, RPTU)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Hasse (Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, RPTU)
In Project B10 Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) techniques are employed for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal enhancement. DNP techniques enable overcoming the inherently low nuclear spin polarization and provide large signal enhancements through the creation of a non-equilibrium hyperpolarized state. Using this non-equilibrium phenomenon for quantitative analysis of technical systems is a highly promising unresolved task. Spin+X provides an excellent framework for accomplishing this task because of its unique in-depth approach connecting advanced theory, experiments and applications. In the project, DNP hyperpolarization techniques are combined with NMR relaxometry as well as with high and medium field NMR methods. Both the electron-nuclear spin coupling itself and its technical application are studied. The aim is to boost the sensitivity of the NMR experiments manifold so that quantitative measurements of components at low concentrations or in small geometries such as microfluidic devices become possible. This is of special interest for the new and promising class of benchtop NMR instruments for which signal enhancement by DNP could be a breakthrough.
Aim 1: Provide insights into electron-nuclear spin coupling in complex liquid systems
Aim 2: Enable and optimize DNP in quantitative NMR spectroscopy
Aim 3: Pioneer applications of DNP + NMR techniques in chemical reaction engineering