NMR microscopy

With the development of NMR-microscopy (NMR-Imaging) a completely new dimension of information became available for medicine, biology and material investigation. The INFAI laboratory is equipped with high resolution imaging equipment. The maximum resolution is 10x10 µm planar concerning a field strength of 9,4 T of a consistency of layer of 40 µm.

In medicine NMR imaging will be mainly used for the characterisation of specimen (tissue) and biopsy samples. One of the most important application is the investigation of the morphology of human tumours, particularly skin cancer. The information which can be obtained from the NMR-images is extremely detailed and valuable. The sample is not destroyed in the measurement process and can therefore used for other investigations.

    Section of a 3D image of malignant melanoma

NMR imaging is a uniquely non-invasive approach in the area of biology and biomedicine. INFAI can display the internal structure of creatures up to the size of mice in vivo. This feature results in a saving in laboratory animals and permits long term observations of the same individual. This has particular value in cancer research where the initiation and development of a cancer can be observed in the same animal.

    2D image of a mice kidney.

INFAI also uses NMR imaging for the investigation of plant physiology and pathology. Rapid detection of disease in plant tissues may be considerable economic significance.

Water distribution in coffee bean	Fat distribution in an coffee bean	Spectrum for quantitative determination of water and fat contents in a coffee bean

NMR imaging is also a powerful tool for analysis of molecular and macromolecular structure of polymers. An example of such an application is the determination of the effect of moisture and temperature to the mechanical characteristics and the chemical structure of synthetic products. Moisture content and the diffusion of moisture in polymers can also be observed. Surface defects (cracking) in bonded fabrics can also be detected at INFAI using NMR imaging. This technique is useful both in the development of new materials and in quality control procedures. Because a large amount of information can be obtained from each measurement, NMR-imaging is generally more cost effective than other procedures.