Examination of a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, comprises measuring a homonuclear J-couplings in a small magnetic field and characterizing the sample using the homonuclear J-coupling

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This invention introduces a new method for analyzing samples using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy by measuring homonuclear J-couplings—interactions between like nuclei, such as between two hydrogens—in very small (ultra-low) magnetic fields, including Earth's natural magnetic field. Unlike prior approaches, which generally required large and costly superconducting magnets and focused on heteronuclear couplings, this method allows for detailed molecular structure analysis using both homonuclear and heteronuclear J-couplings, enabling effective NMR characterization with simpler, less expensive, and more portable equipment.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• On-site analysis of chemicals and materials using portable, low-field NMR devices (e.g., in field exploration for petroleum or chemicals).
• Quality control and assurance in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical production, using NMR to verify molecular compositions.
• In-situ monitoring of chemical reactions in industrial processes for polymer production or other reactions where conventional NMR is impractical.
• Mobile structural analysis of biomolecules and small proteins in pharmaceutical and biological research without the need for large laboratory equipment.
• Geological and hydrological field studies, where mobile NMR can detect groundwater or analyze substances in their native environment.

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• Enables NMR spectroscopy without the need for bulky, expensive high-field magnets, reducing equipment size, cost, and complexity.
• Allows for high-resolution structural analysis of both small and complex (organic and biochemical) molecules in ultra-low or Earth-strength magnetic fields.
• Expands the types of samples that can be analyzed by providing access to homonuclear J-coupling information, overcoming a major limitation of previous low-field NMR methods.
• Facilitates real-time, on-site, or mobile analysis in environments previously inaccessible to traditional NMR spectroscopy.
• Reduces the dependency on chemical shift information, permitting detailed molecular identification even when chemical shifts are unavailable or unresolvable at low fields.
• Improves the precision in measuring coupling constants, sometimes exceeding the accuracy achievable with superconducting magnet NMR, leading to better differentiation of similar chemical structures.

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Patent Abstract

Procedure for the examination of a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, comprises measuring a homonuclear J-couplings in a small magnetic field and characterizing the sample using the homonuclear J-coupling. Independent claims are included for: (1) a procedure for examining a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, comprising measuring homo and heteronuclear J-couplings in a small magnetic field (less than 5 x 10->3> Tesla) and determining the structure of the molecules in the sample from the associated multiplet spectrum; and (2) a device for carrying out the procedure comprising a means for carrying out a polarization of the sample, a transmitter coil for excitation of the sample, means for generating a homogeneous magnetic field with a homogeneity of at least 1 ppm of 1 cm3>, preferably for an hour, and a magnetic shielding with a shielding factor of at least 5000.