Spin Dynamics SDY
Prof. Dr. Marcel Utz [Contact]
Welcome...
...to the Utz lab! We use microtechnology to better understand complex systems, from advanced materials such as photovoltaics and organic semiconductors all the way to biological systems such as cells and tissues. Microtechnology provides the tools to create controlled environments in which we can study specific aspects of their behaviour, but also allows us to develop novel tools and sensors for investigation. A major part of our activities focuses on integrating magnetic resonance techniques with microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems. This involves the development of specialized magnetic resonance sensors, pulse sequences, and data extraction strategies.
Spin Dynamics SDY
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging work by encoding the structure and dynamics of matter into the quantum state of the nuclear spin system. This information can then be read out by radiofrequency signals. Both the encoding and the readout processes can be controlled through electronically controlled magnetic fields. Our aim is to develop optimal protocols for this that maximize the amount and quality of the information that can be extracted in this way.
An important aspect is the enhancement of nuclear magnetic resonance signals by hyperpolarization techniques. Under special circumstances, it is possible to align the nuclear spins to a much larger degree than would be warranted by thermal equilibrium with even a large magnetic field. We are using microtechnology to develop and optimize such hyperpolarization techniques, with the goal to increase the sensitivity and readout efficiency of magnetic resonance methods.
