Development of NMR and MRI using hyperpolarized krypton-83 and similar spin systems

在这个由化学学部实验物理化学项目资助的项目中，科罗拉多州立大学的Thomas Meersmann教授和他的博士后、研究生和本科生同事将开发使用超极化气体用于核磁共振和核磁共振研究的方法。具体来说，Meersmann和他的团队将开发制造超极化Kr-83的方法，作为表面化学成分的敏感探针。此外，Meersmann教授和他的团队将开发一种生产核自旋极化气体分子的方法，用于现场监测燃烧等高温反应。磁共振成像是一种强大的、非侵入性的方法，可以获得材料的化学特异性图像。它在材料和医学成像中的应用无处不在。Meersmann教授和他的年轻同事将利用超极化探针气体为这些成像方法开发新的方法。Meersmann实验室开发的方法的一个潜在应用将是使用化学惰性的Kr-83作为MRI造影剂，用于肺表面的体内成像，这是诊断某些类型呼吸系统疾病的潜在重要工具。除了该奖项所支持的研究具有更广泛的科学和社会影响外，Meersmann教授还将继续在现代磁共振方法方面培养一批不同类型的年轻科学家。

In this project, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor Thomas Meersmann of Colorado State University and his postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate student colleagues will develop methods to use hyperpolarized gases for use in NMR and MRI investigations. Specifically, Meersmann and his group will develop methods of creating hyperpolarized Kr-83 as a sensitive probe of the chemical composition of surfaces. In addition, Prof. Meersmann and his team will develop a means of producing nuclear spin-polarized gas molecules for in situ monitoring of high temperature reactions such as combustion. Magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful, non-invasive method for obtaining chemically-specific images of materials. Its use in materials and medical imaging are ubiquitous. Prof. Meersmann and his young colleagues will develop new methodologies for these imaging methods using hyperpolarized probe gases. One potential application of the methods developed in the Meersmann laboratory would be the use of chemically-inert Kr-83 as a MRI contrast agent for in vivo imaging of lung surfaces -- a potentially important tool in diagnosing certain types of respiratory diseases. Besides the broader scientific and societal impact of the research supported in this award, Prof. Meersmann will continue to train a diverse group of young scientists in modern magnetic resonance methods.