WELCOME to the High-Field DNP/EPR laboratory
The high-field DNP/EPR laboratory is a new research laboratory in the School of Chemistry at Tel-Aviv University established in 2018. It is led by the a principal investigator Dr. Ilia Kaminker. In our laboratory, we develop new methodologies for material characterization using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Our main tool is Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) which allows for an orders of magnitude signal enhancement in NMR spectroscopy. Our goal is to extend the NMR spectroscopy to systems which that are challenging and traditionally not amenable for it. For this purpose, we develop a new methodology and new instrumentation. The systems of interest include single atom heterogeneous catalysts, metal organic frameworks and other materials containing magnetic nuclear isotopes that are not traditionally studied by NMR.
Now Recruiting PhD and Master Students
Talented , motivated students with background in chemistry, physics, electrical engineering and related disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Current Projects
Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) at high magnetic field.
DNP INSTRUMENTATION DEVELOPMENT
We are developing novel experimental tools for high-field DNP and EPR. The 13.8 Tesla spectrometer operating at 386 GHz EPR frequency and 586 MHz NMR (proton) frequencies. The challenge is to design the instrumentation capable of precise pattern generation and signal detection simultaneously at sub-THz and radio frequencies.
ULTRA-WIDELINE DNP
Ultra-wideline NMR spectroscopy is one of the toughest areas of solid-state NMR. The ultra-wide (> 0.5 MHz) NMR spectra, while potentially containing a wealth of important chemical information, present unique challenges to the NMR spectroscopist. In this project we develop unique methods for efficient hyperpolarization in those demanding systems.
DNP SPIN DYNAMICS
The dynamics of electron and nuclear spins are governed by quantum mechanics. Hyperpolarization of ultra-wideline nuclei presents new theoretical challenges associated with the unusual magnitude of the anisotropic nuclear -spin interactions that are typically ignored in traditional theoretical treatments. The goal of this project is to develop the modelling and simulations framework for ultra-wideline DNP for data interpretation and guidance of future experiments.