Abstract
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 T 2 (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.
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Garrido, L., Sampayo, J. Proton Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Specimens in Simulated Microgravity. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 21, 305 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-009-9105-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-009-9105-0