A method of enhancing the nuclear spin polarization of target molecules (10) uses a hyperpolarized source material (12) that is co-confined with the target molecules (10) in a porous molecular matrix (20). The matrix (20) may be a D4R-polysiloxane copolymer such as polyoligosiloxysilicone number two (PSS-2) that has recesses of an appropriate diameter. A source material (12), such as parahydrogen, is transferred to the matrix (20) together with the target molecules (10), and an external pressure is applied to force them into the recesses of the matrix (20). The nano-confinement of the source material (12) and target molecules (10) together enables or enhances a transfer of spin polarization from the source material (12) to the target molecules (10). When the target molecules (10) are removed from the matrix (20), the enhanced spin polarization greatly enhances the signal strength of the target molecules (10) in any subsequent magnetic resonance measurement.

Various approaches of adjusting a gain of received signals in integrated circuitry include implementing an open-loop source-degenerated amplifier having a pair of input devices for amplifying the received signals; boosting an effective transconductance of the input devices (e.g., using a pair of super-g.sub.m feedback loops); and setting a bias current of devices in the open-loop source-degenerated amplifier (e.g., using a constant-g.sub.m bias circuit).

A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system is configured to detect combinatorial signatures stemming from homonuclear and heteronuclear J-couplings. The system comprises a pre-polarization system, a detector, and NMR electronics, wherein the detector includes an NMR magnet with a magnetic field of strength between 300 mT and 10 T.

A synthetic diamond material comprises a surface, wherein the surface comprises a first surface region comprising a first concentration of quantum spin defects. A second surface region has a predetermined area and is located adjacent to the first surface region, the second region comprising a second concentration of quantum spin defects. The first concentration of quantum spin defects is at least ten times greater than the second concentration of quantum spin defects, and at least one of the first or second surface regions comprises chemical vapour deposition, CVD, synthetic diamond. A method of producing the synthetic diamond material is also disclosed.

An approach for accurately setting a duty cycle of PA switching waveforms uses an all-digital PVT sensor circuit. In various embodiments, the all-digital PVT sensor circuit measures a pulse width of a periodic reference signal using digital delay line, and subsequently, implements an off-chip digital calculation to program the digital delay line to delay this periodic reference signal so that, when the delayed periodic reference signal is combined with the original (undelayed) reference via a logical AND operation, the resulting signal conforms to a desired duty cycle. In one implementation, the PA is a class-D PA, which may have a single-ended configuration or a differential configuration having two single-ended structures operating in opposite phases.

Described herein are micro-coil hyperpolarized NMR systems and methods for measuring metabolic flux in living and non-living samples. Such systems can perform high throughput measurements (with multiple coils) of metabolic flux without destroying the material, making it useful to analyze tumor biopsies, cancer stem cells, and the like. In certain embodiments, a hyperpolarized micromagnetic resonance spectrometer (HMRS), described herein, is used to achieve real-time, significantly more sensitive (e.g., 10.sup.3-fold more sensitive) metabolic analyses of live cells or non-living samples. In this platform, a suspension mixed with hyperpolarized metabolites is loaded into a miniaturized detection coil (e.g., about 2 L), where the flux analysis can be completed within a minute without significant changes in viability. The sensitive and rapid analytical capability of the provided systems enables rapid assessment of metabolic changes by a given drug, which may direct therapeutic choices in patients.

A medical testing system comprises a housing, at least one magnet assembly configured around a probe configured to accept a human finger, formed in the housing wherein the at least one magnet assembly creates a permanent magnetic field around the probe, an RF signal generator configured to create a temporary magnetic field perpendicular to the permanent magnetic field in the housing, and an NMR coil assembly wherein a change in the permanent magnetic field induces a voltage in the NMR coil assembly.

A subterranean characterization and fluid sampling device includes a tool body, a probing module, and a permanent magnet. The tool body includes a fluid testing module configured to retain a fluid sample and an internal radio frequency coil disposed within the tool body and drivable to generate RF magnetic field B.sub.2. The probing module is coupled to the tool body and configured to withdraw the fluid sample from a formation and deliver the fluid sample to the fluid testing module. The probing module comprises an external antenna drivable to generate RF magnetic field B.sub.1. The permanent magnet induces static magnetic field B.sub.0. The permanent magnet is coupled to the tool body and external to the probing module.

Systems and methods for reducing variability in the output impedance of an integrated switch-mode power amplifier (PA) split the output impedance between passive resistor, which may be on-chip, and a MOSFET switch of the amplifier. The PA may have a single-ended configuration or a differential configuration having two single-ended structures operating with opposite phases. In one implementation, the size of the MOSFET switch is larger than that of the MOSFET switch implemented in a conventional PA, but the size is still acceptable to operate the PA at a desired frequency. In addition, a calibration approach may be utilized to ensure that the MOSFET switch has a controlled and calibrated ON resistance, thereby providing stable output power levels of the PA and ensuring consistency and repeatability in NMR measurements.

Embodiments described herein relate to detectors and their method of use for sensing electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic signals, biochemical analytes, and/or other conditions in subjects. The device may include an inductively-coupled implantable coil-based transducer that converts electrical, photonic, biochemical signals, and/or other appropriate signals and/or conditions originating in tissues and/or transplanted tissue grafts into changes in a property of the transducer, such as a resonance frequency, that may be detected using an alternating magnetic field that may be provided by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal and/or other appropriate source. In some embodiments, the detector comprises a FET that changes state upon detection of a subject condition of interest. The change in the FET may change the resonance frequency of an associated LC or RLC circuit. The change in resonance frequency may change the brightness and/or intensity of the detector when detected by an MRI scanner or other appropriate scanner.