Open-source compact time-domain hydrogen (1H) NMR System for Field Deployment.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Conventional high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers are expensive and complex.
• Material property analysis often requires specialized equipment and expertise.
• There is a need for accessible, portable analytical tools for various scientific fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact, low-cost time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) system for in-situ 1H measurements.
• To enable material property analysis by focusing on relaxation times (T2) rather than chemical shifts.
• To create an affordable and accessible platform for democratizing NMR technology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 0.5 T permanent magnet for a compact TD-NMR system.
• Employed an off-the-shelf data acquisition system and custom PCB for signal conditioning.
• Implemented the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence for T2 relaxation measurements.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated efficient T2 relaxation measurements even with varying magnetic susceptibilities.
• Validated the system by correlating T2 values with copper concentrations in solutions, simulating heavy metal monitoring.
• Achieved enhanced signal-to-noise ratios in low-field conditions suitable for challenging environments.

Conclusions:

• The developed TD-NMR system offers a cost-effective and portable solution for material characterization.
• The system's focus on relaxation times simplifies analysis and broadens NMR applicability.
• The open-source design promotes wider adoption in educational and professional settings.