About the project
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying molecular structures and dynamics in samples. It has numerous applications, such as drug discovery and cancer diagnosis. However, the bulky size and high cost limit NMR’s widespread applications in medicine, biology and chemistry.
This PhD project aims to build a miniaturised NMR spectroscopy using ultrasensitive on-chip levitated magnetic field sensors. The project will be based on recent research innovations from the supervisor team, including:
- Novel levitated magnetic field sensor that has surpassed the fundamental energy resolution limit
- Novel sensing principle using precession motion in levitated optomechanics
- an approach to generate the precession motion using on-chip vortex beams
- Novel on-chip miniaturised metalens that can manipulate the light field to levitate particles to build magnetic field sensors
Our approach will significantly shrink the size of the NMR spectroscopy and make its footprint as small as 100cm2. The instrument will be mass-producible with a fabrication cost potentially less than £4k. We will work with the world’s strongest NMR instrument company, Bruker Ltd, to explore the novel applications and commercialisation opportunities of this research.
This scholarship commemorates Dr. Maurits De Planque and his contributions to research and education. To honour Maurits’ passion for delivering high-quality education, you will also be expected to contribute to education by engaging with innovative AI-based education activities. AI is undoubtedly evolving teaching and learning fundamentally.
The project will be supported by our EPSRC projects (EP/V000624/1, EP/W007444/1, EP/X009467/1).
