A chemical battery that supercharges magnetic resonance signals could make routine analysis of pharmaceuticals and industrial catalysts dramatically faster and cheaper. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI are powerful analytical tools, but their signals are inherently weak. The technique often requires long scan times or large sample volumes, limiting its use in fast-paced industrial settings. The researchers propose building a "hyperpolarisation battery" — a molecule that stores enhanced magnetic alignment from parahydrogen gas and then releases it on demand to amplify NMR signals by orders of magnitude. This would break the current requirement for parahydrogen to be present during the measurement itself, removing safety and solvent constraints. If successful, the method could speed up catalyst development — catalysis produces 80% of industrially relevant chemicals and accounts for 20–30% of global GDP. Faster, cheaper analysis would strengthen Europe’s competitive position against China, the USA, and Japan. The same approach could also generate highly visible MRI contrast agents for diagnosing cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, supporting aging populations. The project is applied fundamental science: it aims to define the chemical nature of the battery, optimise its charging and discharge, and demonstrate its use in real catalytic and pharmaceutical systems.
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Chemical analysis is integral to understanding materials and their production. Consequently, it is a key technology that underpins Europe's chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. We seek here to change the way we analyse materials, biological processes, catalysis and reactivity using magnetic resonance (MR). This will involve creating the hyperpolarisation battery (HB) via parahydrogen, whose subsequent discharge will magnify MR responses to facilitate previously impossible measurements. Through this lens, the low cost identification and quantification of molecules and their roles in catalysis will become possible. This will lead to faster analyses, improved catalysts and methods to transform chemicals manufacture thereby creating new commercial opportunities and improving research efficiency. Catalysis produces 80% of industrially relevant chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and accounts for 20-30% of world gross domestic product. Europe is a leading player here, but this position needs strengthening to address challenges by China, the USA and Japan. Our methods also lie on the path to creating highly visible contrast agents for improved disease diagnosis and treatment by MRI. The HB dovetails therefore with a need to support aging populations and address conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorder. Creating a versatile HB will involve a synthetic programme, magnetic field analysis and detailed optimisation. We must define its chemical nature, optimise charging from parahydrogen gas and ensure its charged lifetime allows isolation from parahydrogen to overcome existing safety, solvent and selectivity limitations. Sensitisation through discharge of the isolated HB must broaden scope to enable studies of catalysis, pharmaceutical preparations and potential MRI contrast agents. By breaking the link to parahydrogen, solvent and reaction diversity is assured; the now controllable properties of the HBs will define scope and the final hyperpolarisation outcome.
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