Grants

Leveraging Radical Dynamics to Generate Nuclear Spin Hyperpolarization

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) · DE-SC0025694

Principal Investigator: Christos P. Constantinides, University of Michigan–Dearborn Co-Principal Investigator: Frédéric A. Perras, Ames National Laboratory

$800,000 total ($600,000 to the University of Michigan–Dearborn; $200,000 to Ames National Laboratory)

February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2028

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is essential for determining molecular structure and dynamics, but its low sensitivity limits many applications. This project develops organic radical polarizing agents for high-field Overhauser-effect dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), a method that transfers electron-spin polarization to nearby nuclei to strengthen NMR signals. The research examines how molecular motion, electron-spin relaxation, and photoexcitation control this transfer.

The team will synthesize and evaluate Blatter and perchlorotriphenylmethyl (PTM) radicals using electron paramagnetic resonance, multifield NMR and DNP measurements, and spin-dynamics calculations. The goal is to establish practical molecular-design rules for more effective DNP agents while expanding research capacity at the University of Michigan–Dearborn through its collaboration with Ames National Laboratory.