Sensitivity Enhancement in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) by Para-hydrogen Induced Hyperpolarization (SenseNMR)

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Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the most powerful techniquesfor investigating the structure, composition, and dynamics of living andnon-living matter. Despite its widespread applications underlying lowsensitivity remains the achilles heel of the technique. Traditionally,highly expensive superconducting magnets in conjunction with exceedinglylong scan times are required to alleviate the sensitivity challenge.However, with ever increasing uncertainty of liquid Helium availability,it has become clear that NMR must move towards sustainable options builtaround permanent magnets. Over the last decade, NMR based on suchsystems (known as benchtop NMR) has made significant progress andclearly reflects the future of NMR. Tthe magnetic field strengths of thebenchtop magnets (~1 Tesla) are still though an order of magnitude lowerthan those of conventional superconducting magnets. Unfortunately thismeans they are categorized by even poorer sensitivity and meant for evenlonger scan times which can run into days for a single sample.In this project we will address both the long standing issues ofsensitivity and high cost associated with NMR spectroscopy. This willinvolve the application of a technique called hyperpolarization. Thisstudentship will employ the novel SABRE, and recently developedSABRE-Relay methods to achieve the spin hyperpolarization of the mostimportant nuclei including 1H, 13C, 15N, 19F and 31P which feature in anarray of important target molecules - chemical markers, agents,metabolites, drugs etc. Subsequently, these hyperpolarized targets willbe employed for a range of NMR applications from rapid chemicalidentification, tracking chemical fate, sample purity analysis andkinetic studies. Novel analytical and NMR methodologies will bedeveloped to achieve these goals in conjunction with novelinstrumentation and automation protocols.