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

阿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，并使特定化学物质和蛋白质的成像成为可能。该项目由化学结构、动态与机制B项目和化学系化学测量与成像项目资助。本研究的目标是利用自由基和自由基簇的特性，开发使用无毒的、地球上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，通过计划的外展活动，为阿拉巴马大学化学和研究本科项目中代表性不足的学生介绍当今经济中全球科学、技术、工程和数学职业机会提供了一个极好的机会。自由基和自由基在动态核极化（DNP）过程中被用来极大地增强核磁共振（NMR）和核磁共振（MRI）信号，用于分子成像和稀有分子和中间体的研究。DNP的高成本和有限的性能阻碍了它的使用。在详细了解DNP过程和驱动DNP的自由基的电子自旋动力学作用的基础上，将通过合成更好的极化剂来改进DNP。本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，以提高DNP的实用性能。

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.