Centimeter-Scale Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer for Analysis of Biochemical Composition of Living Organisms

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A miniature nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer is an essential research tool for analyzing biochemical composition of living organisms, where the sample size is typically very small. Such instruments can address a vast number of unmet needs in environmental studies, environmental protection measures, and safeguarding against drinking-water contamination, especially for the Indigenous communities across Canada. Although portable NMR spectrometer has been developed by several academic teams internationally, Canada is falling behind in developing and deploying homegrown technology in this essential area. Our team aims to develop and manufacture a low-cost centimeter-scale NMR spectrometer, validate it in sample-volume-limited in-vivo interrogation of living organisms, and deploy it in several environmental studies by correlating the chemical changes detected in these organisms with the presence and origins of toxicity in Canadian water resources. Our interdisciplinary team is uniquely qualified to develop such a centimeter-scale NMR spectrometer, as it brings together deep expertise in electronic integrated circuits (R. Genov and X. Liu), and NMR spectrometry and environmental science (A. J. Simpson). We have extensive proven experience in designing, prototyping, and testing customized electronic chips and electromagnetic coils. In this project, we aim to develop a centimeter-scale NMR spectrometer with a high detection sensitivity (70V) chip fabrication process (i.e., Double Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor) that permits high sample excitation and thus yields a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); (2) leverage our past design of 3D off-chip NMR micro-coils to further boost the SNR; (3) improve the detection accuracy by on-chip advanced signal processing and off-chip machine learning. This project provides multi-disciplinary training opportunities to a large group of diverse HQP in our collaborating research labs. HQP will actively participate in the design, development, and experimental characterization of the electronic NMR spectrometer, and its field deployment. The trained HQP will be in high demand upon graduation and will become future leaders of the industry, academia, and environmental policy making institutions. In this proposal, our team has put forward a time-sensitive, feasible and innovative solution that will keep Canadian researchers in environmental science competitive, and will ensure that all Canadians will enjoy long-lasting and safe access to its most important and its most cherished natural resource - its water.