Inexhaustible Spring of Hyperpolarization For Magnetic Resonance

Introduction

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has become a well-established and versatile tool in numerous fields of research and in industry, but features a relatively low sensitivity which prevents solving today’s most pressing challenges in modern science.

Hyperpolarization Solution

Hyperpolarization by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) provides a partial solution by enhancing sensitivity 10,000-fold. However, hyperpolarized solutions are available only once (single-shot), and are contaminated and diluted. This is incompatible with most NMR experiments, except for some niche applications.

Project Objectives

HypFlow will reach the ground-breaking overall aim of providing inexhaustible (multi-shot) and pure (unpolluted and undiluted) hyperpolarization, thus truly compatible with NMR by:

1. Designing and building a pulsed-DNP freeze&flow polarizer.
2. Integrating the use of hyperpolarizing matrices with polarized electrons.
3. Validating multi-scan applications in metabolomics, drug discovery, and chemistry.

Methodology

Liquid NMR samples will freeze in the HypFlow system where high levels of polarization will be generated, will then melt and flow toward the spectrometer, and will recirculate repeatedly. This will offer, for the first time, inexhaustible and pure hyperpolarization with a 10,000-fold boost in sensitivity.

Expertise

The PI has a unique combined leading expertise in the most recent instrumental, methodological, and chemical developments in dDNP that will empower him to tackle the scientific challenges of HypFlow.

Scientific Impact

HypFlow will deepen the fundamental scientific knowledge of nuclear and electron spin polarization generation, transfer, and relaxation phenomena. It will enable detection of hyperpolarized samples in a fully compatible way with a broad range of NMR applications, radically transforming and democratizing the practice of hyperpolarized NMR in research laboratories and industries.