Microfluidic Overhauser DNP chip for signal-enhanced compact NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance at low field strength is an insensitive spectroscopic technique, precluding portable applications with small sample volumes, such as needed for biomarker detection in body fluids. Here we report a compact double resonant chip stack system that implements in situ dynamic nuclear polarisation of a 130 nL sample volume, achieving signal enhancements of up to - 60 w.r.t. the thermal equilibrium level at a microwave power level of 0.5 W. This work overcomes instrumental barriers to the use of NMR detection for point-of-care applications.

Automated summary

A compact double resonant chip stack system has been developed to achieve in situ dynamic nuclear polarisation of small sample volumes, overcoming instrumental barriers to NMR detection for point-of-care applications. This technology allows for signal enhancements up to -60 relative to thermal equilibrium at a microwave power level of 0.5W.