Magnetic Resonance without Magnetic Field

• Applicant: Professor Dmitry Budker, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 505655990

Conventional high field liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful method but experiments need to be performed in a specific environment (inside a highly homogeneous magnetic field), which prevents its use in many applications. Coupling magnetic resonance at zero- to ultralow field (ZULF) [1] with hyperpolarization [2] by dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) [3–5] allows for sensitive high resolution magnetic resonance with arbitrary molecules in challenging environments like metal containers and porous media with high magnetic susceptibility heterogeneities. This requires a robust experimental setup combining the two techniques. Boosting NMR at zero field with dDNP is challenging because of relaxation induced by paramagnetic agents. We believe that this limitation will be lifted by the use of hyperpolarizing matrices recently introduced by the French co-applicant. We will use the combination of hyperpolarization and ZULF NMR to investigate catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds, heterogeneous enzymatic processes and oligomerization and polymerization processes. In particular, this will enable the comparison of homogeneous vs. heterogeneous catalytic processes by NMR.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Partner Organisation: Agence Nationale de la Recherche / The French National Research Agency
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Sami Jannin