Single-Sided Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Applications

Single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems employ a permanent magnet and a surface-positioned radio-frequency coil to probe relaxation and diffusion properties of materials without enclosing them in a conventional magnet bore. Operating at low field strengths, these instruments are compact, portable and capable of non-invasive subsurface measurements. Recent innovations in magnet array design, pulse-sequence programming and signal processing have enhanced signal-to-noise performance and spatial selectivity, enabling quantitative mapping of T1 and T2 relaxation times and self-diffusion coefficients. Such capabilities have been harnessed for point-of-care muscle assessment, inline monitoring of industrial slurries, evaluation of ageing in composite insulators and nondestructive characterisation of biological and civil-engineering materials. The global reach of single-sided NMR is extending from clinical diagnostics and food inspection to energy-storage manufacturing and infrastructure maintenance, reflecting its versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated a lightweight single-sided sensor designed for point-of-care evaluation of skeletal muscle. Weighing under 12 kg and based on a permanent-magnet array with a tailored surface coil, the device achieves a penetration depth exceeding 8 mm and acquires high-quality T2 relaxometry data in minutes. Its low power consumption and minimal shielding requirements make it suitable for bedside or field use, and early in vivo trials have confirmed its ability to discriminate muscle tissue signals from adjacent adipose layers. In parallel, a stochastic optimisation framework has been introduced to accelerate low-field NMR measurements on single-sided instruments. By employing a Monte Carlo algorithm to predict T1 and self-diffusion measurement curves, the system dynamically adjusts pulse parameters in real time, significantly reducing acquisition time while preserving data fidelity under challenging engineering site conditions.

Single-Sided Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Single-sided NMR sensor: A device that uses a surface magnet and coil to probe subsurface NMR signals without enclosing the sample.

T2 relaxometry: Measurement of the transverse relaxation time reflecting molecular environment and mobility.

Longitudinal relaxation time (T1): Time constant for spins to return to equilibrium along the static magnetic field.

Self-diffusion coefficient (D0): Parameter quantifying molecular diffusion, derived from NMR signal attenuation under pulsed-field gradients.

Monte Carlo algorithm: A stochastic simulation method that predicts measurement outcomes and optimises experimental parameters in real time.

References

1. Single-sided magnetic resonance-based sensor for point-of-care evaluation of muscle. Nature Communications (2024).
2. A Monte Carlo algorithm to improve the measurement efficiency of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. NMR in Battery Anode Slurries with a V-Shaped Sensor. Sensors (2024).
4. Optimized Unilateral Magnetic Resonance Sensor with Constant Gradient and Its Applications in Composite Insulators. Sensors (2023).
5. 1H NMR Sensor for Nondestructive Characterization of Organic and Inorganic Materials. Sensors (2024).