Project description
Radiation-detected NMR enhances NMR sensitivity up to a billion times
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a powerful spectroscopic technique based on the inherent magnetic properties of atomic nuclei, is used in fields including chemistry, biology and medicine to reveal the identity, structure, concentration and behaviour of molecules. However, it is limited by its very low sensitivity. Using very short-lived nuclei as novel NMR probes has been shown to increase NMR sensitivity up to a billion times. Funded by the European Research Council, the RD-NMR project aims to build a prototype proof-of-concept tool using this radiation-detected NMR technology. It will consist of a modular insert for conventional NMR and magnetic resonance imaging spectrometers along with hardware and software for data acquisition. The project will also explore commercialisation pathways.
Objective
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful spectroscopic technique, used in various fields, including chemistry, biology and medicine. However, conventional NMR has one big limitation, namely very small sensitivity, due to a low level of polarisation of nuclear spins and inefficient signal detection by an induction signal in pick-up coils. My ERC Starting grant has explored the use of radiation-detected NMR (RD-NMR), in which very short-lived nuclei were used as novel NMR probes, bringing up to a billion-fold increase in NMR sensitivity. Such nuclei are produced at a radioactive-ion beam facility and are polarised on the fly, before being introduced into the sample.
In this Proof of Concept project, I want to use the advantaged of RD-NMR and explore the prospect of turning it into a more easily accessible analytic tool. I aim to build a prototype of a modular insert for conventional NMR and MRI spectrometers that will allow in-situ polarisation of longer-lived nuclei that can be acquired commercially. The insert will include a sample, rf coil for spin excitation, beta-particle detectors, connections to introduce the hyperpolarising agent and the radiolabelled molecule that will be polarised in situ. The insert will be complemented by hardware and software needed for the data acquisition.
During the project we will also explore the most suitable exploitation path, we will refine the end users and end market (including a workshop at CERN), and will investigate the patentability of the results. I will collaborate with researchers from University of Mainz, Knowledge Transfer specialists, and companies active in NMR and MRI.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1211 GENEVE 23
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.