International Collaboration in Chemistry: Dynamic Nuclear Polarization by Nanoparticles and Clusters

该项目由化学系的化学结构、动力学机制B项目和化学测量与成像项目资助，亚拉巴马大学化学系的Michael Bowman教授将开发新型试剂，以提高磁共振成像（MRI）的灵敏度，并使特定化学品和蛋白质成像成为可能。 这项研究的目标是利用自由基和自由基簇的性质，开发使用无毒，地球丰富的材料增强特定分子的MRI信号的方法，以便研究这些分子的运输和命运。该项目是与俄罗斯新西伯利亚化学家国际合作的一部分，为将亚拉巴马大学本科生化学和研究经验介绍给全球科学，技术，自由基和双自由基被用在一个被称为动态核的过程中，极化（DNP），以大大增强核磁共振（NMR）和MRI信号的分子成像和稀有分子和中间体的研究。DNP的使用受到其高成本和有限性能的阻碍。DNP的改进将通过基于对DNP过程和驱动DNP的自由基的电子自旋动力学的作用的详细理解的更好的极化剂的合成来进行。该项目涉及国际合作耦合：1）自由基自旋动力学和DNP的实验研究; 2）自由基在DNP中作用的理论建模; 3）指导新自由基和多自由基的合成，旨在提高DNP的实际性能。

In this project funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamic & Mechanism B Program and the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor Michael Bowman of the Department of Chemistry at The University of Alabama will develop new classes of reagents to increase the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and make it possible to image specific chemicals and proteins. The goal of this research is to exploit the properties of free radicals and clusters of free radicals to develop ways of enhancing the MRI signals from specific molecules using non-toxic, earth-abundant materials so that the transport and fate of those molecules can be studied. This project is part of an international collaboration with chemists in Novosibirsk, Russia and provides an excellent opportunity for introducing under-represented students in the University of Alabama's Chemistry and Research Experience for Undergraduate program to the global science, technology, engineering and math career opportunities of today's economy through planned outreach activities.Free radicals and biradicals are used in a process known as dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) to greatly enhance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI signals for molecular imaging and the study of rare molecules and intermediates. The use of DNP is hindered by its high cost and limited performance. Improvements to DNP will be made by the synthesis of much better polarizing agents based on a detailed understanding of the DNP process and the role of the electron spin dynamics of the free radicals that drive DNP. This project involves an international collaboration coupling: 1) experimental studies of free radical spin dynamics and DNP; with 2) theoretical modeling of the role of free radicals in DNP; to 3) guide the synthesis of new free radicals and poly-radicals aimed at improving the practical performance of DNP.