Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in tiny samples with diamond sensors
Official title: Nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy using diamond quantum sensors
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11329883 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cutting-edge technique using diamond-based quantum sensors to image tiny chemical and biological samples with high sensitivity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,358,506 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM164237-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329883 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable; this is a technology development grant and does not involve patient participation.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation or patient-specific outcomes are anticipated during development.
What this research studies
This grant aims to develop and refine NMR microscopy at micrometer scales using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. The work focuses on device engineering, quantum optics, and spin physics to enable high-resolution chemical and biological imaging in very small samples. The project envisions practical biochemical applications by overcoming low signal-to-noise issues that limit conventional NMR at small volumes. Researchers will push the technology toward real-world use in chemistry, biology, and metabolomics research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable detailed analysis of tiny biological and chemical samples that are currently hard to study.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in microscale NMR with improved SNR, but further advances are needed for routine application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acosta, Victor Marcel — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Acosta, Victor Marcel
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.