Summary:
This project will involve the creation of a hyperpolarisation battery (HB) that delivers magnetism rather that electric current to improve the ability of NMR to characterise materials. It will achieve this through the synthesis of novel molecular catalysts that place the magnetism of parahydrogen into long-lived magnetic states that lie on suitable molecular scaffolds to form the battery. A range of these scaffold will be evaluated to maximise the batteries storage capacity and its ability to magnetise other materials in a second stage. We seek to use this outcome to overcome the low sensitivity of NMR, so that it is able to complete currently inaccessible measurements on chemical systems through the resulting spin order amplification.
Project:
Hyperpolarization methods are being used to address the sensitivity challenge of NMR by creating non-equilibrium spin order, which if perfectly formed would lead to a 32,000-fold signal strength improvement for 1H nucleus detection at 9.4 T. In this project, we will use readily formed parahydrogen to create the HB in conjunction with SABRE, where its latent polarization is released through reversible binding to a metal complex. Ligands within the coordination sphere of the resulting catalyst will then become hyperpolarized by magnetization transfer through its scalar coupling network. The nuclei used in this HB store will be 1H, 13C or 15N, and they will initially be located in a series of pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine or pyrimidine derivatives that contain additional 2H, O or Cl substituents to maximise spin-order lifetime. Such materials exhibit a rich coordination chemistry and are highly amenable to SABRE. In fact, SABRE has already yielded 65%, 25% and 79% polarization levels at 1H, 13C and 15N so we should be able to create highly charged HB’s for subsequent use. Certainly, we can overcome the reactivity limitations of hydrogen, and its poor solubility in water. Furthermore, by judicious design, the HB might be expected to operate for hours. Aspects of synthesis will see the PhD student prepare both catalysts and HB’s, whilst NMR and MRI type measurements will be made to assess performance.
Research Group:
This project will take place in the Centre for Hyperpolarisation in Magnetic Resonance (CHyM), a 940 m2 facility dedicated to developing methods to improve NMR and MRI. CHyM is based in Chemistry at the University of York, a Department placed in the top 10 for research in the last assessment exercise. The project will provide training in a number of areas spanning synthesis, catalysis and NMR analysis. Beyond the resulting multidisciplinary scientific knowledge, the researcher will receive University of York training through dedicated modules on “softer” academic skills, including paper and grant-writing and presentation abilities, IP-related knowledge and entrepreneurial thinking. We will also seek to foster soft skills through presentations, interdisciplinary discussions, and communication with industry and provide specific training in commercialization, intellectual property law, and problems related to setting up private enterprises. In order to gain further experience, the PhD student will have the opportunity to spend 3-months developing aspects of their project in another research laboratory. Attendance at international conferences and workshops will form an integral part to their training. The PhD student will enrol in York’s PhD program and take courses to aid their research. These will be selected to maximise their personal and professional development whilst being aligned to research objectives. You will be supported by a mentor and second member of academic staff, an independent authority to help assess and optimise progress over the 4 year PhD programme. It should be noted, this project is part of a wider research effort that will involve three post-doctoral fellows and two further PhD students.
All Chemistry research students have access to our innovative Doctoral Training in Chemistry (iDTC): cohort-based training to support the development of scientific, transferable and employability skills: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/training/idtc/
The Department of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award and is committed to supporting equality and diversity for all staff and students. The Department strives to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/ed/.
For more information about the project, click on the supervisor's name above to email the supervisor. For more information about the application process or funding, please click on email institution
This PhD will formally start on 1 October 2023. Induction activities may start a few days earlier.
To apply for this project, submit an online PhD in Chemistry application: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/apply?course=DRPCHESCHE3
You should hold or expect to achieve the equivalent of at least a UK upper second class degree in Chemistry or a related subject. Please check the entry requirements for your country: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/your-country/
Continue with Facebook
