Tackling Sensitivity and Spectral Crowding: Establishing Portable Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) as an Essential Scientific Tool

该项目专门解决需要改进的基础科学，以克服关键障碍，从而使小型化便携式低场核磁共振波谱（NMR）成为现实。核磁共振波谱是现代科学中最强大的检测器，能够检测和量化复杂混合物或生命系统中的任何有机分子。然而，研究仪器通常要花费数百万美元，并且使用无法移动的大型超导磁体。虽然核磁共振可以在低磁场便携式永磁体上进行，但灵敏度低、光谱重叠等问题阻碍了其广泛应用。在本研究中，通过开发微线圈阵列来解决灵敏度问题，而通过新的光谱概念来解决重叠问题，该概念仅针对感兴趣的化合物，从而消除重叠。Synex Medical的长期目标是基于该项目的基本成果，最终开发出可穿戴核磁共振技术，以监测体内代谢过程。这种技术可用于监测/诊断疾病或跟踪任何影响新陈代谢的过程，如节食或运动。环境核磁共振中心（多伦多大学）的最终目标是使该技术适应环境应用。一个例子是对光谱过滤器进行预编程，以选择感兴趣的水生污染物，然后将微型传感器放入地下水中，进行经济、实时和无人操作的含水层监测。虽然核磁共振中心的目标是环境应用，而Synex的目标是医疗应用，但这两种应用的基础科学和微线圈技术是相同的，同时也为移动核磁共振的发展奠定了基础。

This project specifically tackles the fundamental science that requires improvement to overcome key hurdles and in turn make miniaturized portable low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) a reality. NMR spectroscopy is the most powerful detector in modern science with the ability to detect and quantify any organic molecules in complex mixtures or in living systems. However, research instruments typically cost $millions and use large super conducting magnets that cannot be moved. While NMR can be performed on low field portable permanent magnets, low sensitivity and spectral overlap, currently hamper its wide spread application. In this research, sensitivity is addressed through the development of microcoil arrays, while overlap is tackled through new spectroscopic concepts that target only the compounds of interest thus negating overlap. The long term aims of Synex Medical are to build upon the fundamental results from this project to eventually develop wearable NMR technology to monitor metabolite processes in-vivo. Such technology could be used to monitor/diagnose disease or track any process that impacts metabolism such as dieting or exercise. The Environmental NMR Center's (University of Toronto) ultimate goal is to adapt the technology for Environmental applications. One example would be to pre-program the spectroscopic filters to select for aquatic contaminants of interest and then drop the tiny sensors into groundwater for economical, real-time and unmanned aquifer monitoring. While the NMR center's goal is environmental applications and Synex's goal is medical applications, the fundamental science and microcoil technology would be identical for both applications, as well as form the basis for the development of mobile NMR in general.