Optimally Controlling Sodium NMR in Soft Matter Systems

在这个由化学部化学测量和成像计划资助的项目中，纽约大学的Alexej Jerschow教授将开发核磁共振（NMR）光谱方法，以提高软物质系统中钠离子的可见性和特异性。特别是，最优控制理论的最新发现和算法将适用于光谱实验的优化，从而允许人们探测离子的局部各向异性和在液体和固体之间的边界处的翻滚运动。钠在生物系统中起着重要的作用，通过与大分子结合，维持渗透压和中和电荷。Jerschow的研究将提供新的测量能力，用于研究金属与核酸和蛋白质的结合，组织中的肿瘤检测，食品和材料科学的质量控制以及空隙空间成像。除了研究生和博士后同事的教育，该研究计划还将支持与普拉特研究所在艺术保护光谱学领域的持续合作。

In this project, funded by the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Alexej Jerschow of New York University will develop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy methodology for enhanced visibility and specificity of sodium ions in soft matter systems. In particular, recent findings and algorithms of optimal control theory will be adapted for the optimization of spectroscopic experiments, thus allowing one to probe the ions' local anisotropy and tumbling motion at the boundary between liquids and solids.Sodium plays an important function in biological systems by binding to macromolecules, maintaining osmotic pressure, and neutralizing charge. Jerschow's studies will provide new measurement capabilities with relevance to the investigation of metal binding to nucleic acids and proteins, tumor detection in tissues, quality control in food and materials sciences, and void-space imaging. In addition to the education of graduate students and post-doctoral coworkers, the research program will also support continued collaborations with Pratt Institute in the field of spectroscopy in arts conservation.