Provided is a polarization source having high oxygen resistance and capable of stably transitioning the spin polarization of electron to nucleus even in an environment where oxygen exists. A polarization source for dynamic nuclear polarization containing a molecule represented by the following general formula. One to six of Z.sup.1 to Z.sup.10 each represent N, and the others each independently represent C—R. R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. n represents an integer of 1 to 4.

Chemical-shift nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy involves measuring the effects of chemical bonds in a sample on the resonance frequencies of nuclear spins in the sample. Applying a magnetic field to the sample causes the sample nuclei to emit alternating current magnetic fields that can be detected with color centers, which can act as very sensitive magnetometers. Cryogenically cooling the sample increases the sample's polarization, which in turn enhances the NMR signal strength, making it possible to detect net nuclear spins for very small samples. Flash-heating the sample or subjecting it to a magic-angle-spinning magnetic field (instead of a static magnetic field) eliminates built-in magnetic field inhomogeneities, improving measurement sensitivity without degrading the sample polarization. Tens to hundreds of small, cryogenically cooled sample chambers can be integrated in a semiconductor substrate interlaced with waveguides that contain color centers for optically detected magnetic resonance measurements of the samples' chemical-shift NMR frequencies.

A variety of application can use nuclear magnetic resonance as an investigative tool. Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements can be conducted using a nuclear magnetic resonance microscope. An example nuclear magnetic resonance microscope can comprise a film embedded in a coverslip, where the film is doped with reactive centers that undergo stable fluorescence when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within a range of wavelengths and a magnetic field generator to provide a magnetic field for nuclear magnetic resonance measurement of analytes when disposed proximal to the film. Microwave striplines on the coverslip can be arranged to generate microwave fields to irradiate the analytes for the nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Control of the microwave signals on the microwave striplines can be used for dynamic nuclear polarization in the nuclear magnetic resonance measurement of analytes.

Systems and methods are disclosed for generation of hyperpolarized target compounds. Generation of a hyperpolarized target compound can include application of a sequence of microwave pulses to a solution containing the target compound or a precursor of the target compound; or modulation of a magnetic field applied to the solution. When the precursor is hyperpolarized, the precursor can be cleaved to generate the hyperpolarized target compound. The hyperpolarized target compound can then be induced to precipitate out of the solution. The precipitate can be redissolved in a specified volume of solvent to form a solution having a desired concentration of the hyperpolarized target compound.

A system can include: a superconducting or permanent magnet; a high field portion corresponding to the superconducting or permanent magnet, wherein the high field has a range of 0.1-20 T; a low field portion positioned outside of the superconducting or permanent magnet, wherein the low field has a range of 0.01 nT-100 mT; a shuttling mechanism configured to deliver a sample between the low field portion and the high field portion; and a polarization sub-assembly configured to hyperpolarize the sample while the sample is within the low field portion. A device can be configured to cause nuclear spin hyperpolarization in diamond particles such that the hyperpolarization is transferable to at least one of an external liquid or an external solid. A process of hyperpolarizing substances can include applying optical illumination to the substance, irradiating the substance with a series of microwave signals as one of either a single signal or as a frequency comb to hyperpolarize the nuclei in the substance, and relaying polarization to nuclear spins of one of a surrounding solid or fluid.

Systems and methods for generating hyperpolarized target materials are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can include hyperpolarizing a compound then transferring polarization to a target material. The compound can be selected to have nuclear spins. The compound can be further selected to have electron spins that, when exposed to certain electromagnetic radiation, exceed a predetermined level of polarization. The compound can be exposed to such electromagnetic radiation, optically hyperpolarizing the electron spins of the compound. Polarization can then be transferred from the electron spins of the compound to nuclear spins of the compound, at least in part by exposing the compound to a magnetic field. The compound can be exposed to the target material before or after pulverizing the compound to increase the surface area of the compound, thereby facilitating transfer of polarization from the compound to the target material.

A method for generating a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of nuclear spin moments of a sample includes a static magnetic field permeating the sample, and a detection spin moment with a detection region surrounding the latter. The detection region extends at least partly into the sample. The method also includes an antenna element for radiating in frequency pulses for influencing the nuclear spin moments and radio-frequency pulses for influencing the detection spin moment, where a polarization step involves polarizing at least one portion of the nuclear spin moments along the magnetic field to form a longitudinal magnetization, where a transfer step involves converting the longitudinal magnetization (M.sub.x) into a transverse magnetization (M.sub.xy) by radiating in a frequency pulse (F) with a 90° flip angle, wherein a detection step involves radiating in a sequence of radio-frequency pulses onto the detection spin moment and subsequently detecting a signal (32′) of the transverse magnetization (M.sub.xy) present in the detection region and storing the signal as detection result in a list. The detection step is carried out a number of times repeatedly in succession, wherein the polarization step and the transfer step and also the detection steps are carried out.

A method for the preparation of a highly polarized nuclear spins containing sample of an organic or inorganic material, containing H or OH groups or adsorbed water molecules. Such highly polarized nuclear spins containing samples can be subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement and/or can be thawed and immediately administered to an individual undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The method is based on generating unstable radicals on the surface of the sample in the presence of ionized environment followed by cooling the sample to cryogenic temperatures. A device for carrying out a particular step of said method is also disclosed.

There is described a method for the preparation of a hyperpolarised agent, wherein said agent comprises at least one —N.sup.−, —O.sup.− or —S.sup.− moiety (optionally protonated) and a secondary binding site; said method comprising: (i) preparing a fluid containing a polarisation transfer precatalyst and parahydrogen; (ii) introducing a co-ligand to interact with the transfer precatalyst to form a polarisation transfer catalyst; (iii) applying a magnetic field or radio frequency excitation to (ii), such that hyperpolarisation is transferred from parahydrogen to a target molecule; (iv) introducing a target molecule containing at least at least one —N.sup.−, —O.sup.− or —S.sup.− moiety, in conjunction with a secondary binding to form a hyperpolarised agent; wherein the co-ligand is selected from the group consisting of one or more of a sulfoxide, a thioester, a phosphine, an amine, CO, an isonitrile and a nitrogen heterocycle.

An article of manufacture for providing an onboard vehicle recharging environment according to the present invention is disclosed. A Continuous Onboard Recharging Environment (CORE) translates mechanical rotational energy obtained from the rotating axles of a vehicle to a form of sufficient voltage and load amperage to facilitate the charging of an Electric Vehicle's battery system while the vehicle is in operation, thus reducing or removing the need for external charging.