In situ proton stray-field (STRAFI) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging of diamagnetic samples in simulated microgravity is described. The magnetic field gradient at the edge of the superconductive coil in the magnet of a NMR spectrometer is exploited to levitate diamagnetic samples and, at the same time, obtain their corresponding one-dimensional NMR images. Proton T2 (spin-spin relaxation time)/ diffusion-weighted profiles of samples under simulated microgravity conditions are acquired with a solid-echo radiofrequency pulse sequence. Since water is a diamagnetic main constituent substance of living systems, the methodology described could be useful to monitor non-destructively changes in the NMR properties of water protons induced by simulated microgravity and magnetic forces. Furthermore, this approach may be used to observe other NMR-sensitive nuclei of interest, e.g., fluor-19, phosphorous-31, carbon-13, etc.
Proton magnetic resonance imaging of specimens in simulated microgravity
Protonen-Kernspintomographie von Proben unter simulierter Mikrogravitation
2009
6 Seiten, 5 Bilder, 16 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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