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SUMMARY:Monitoring the microscopic water distribution in soft solids with 
 multidimensional NMR relaxometry - Dr Brian Hills\, Institute of Food Rese
 arch\, Norwich
DTSTART:20080215T141500Z
DTEND:20080215T151500Z
UID:TALK9643@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Kalin Dragnevski
DESCRIPTION:Although techniques such as AFM and optical/electron microscop
 y give exquisitely detailed information about the matrix microstructure of
  aqueous (bio-)polymer systems they fail to provide any significant quanti
 tative information about the microscopic distribution of water throughout 
 the various microphases and (bio-)polymer components comprising the polyme
 r matrix. Yet knowledge of this microscopic distribution is essential if w
 e are to develop a quantitative understanding of structure-function relati
 onships in aqueous soft solid systems.  Unfortunately there are very few e
 xperimental methods capable of probing this microscopic water distribution
 . The talk will therefore focus on the potential of novel multi-dimensiona
 l NMR relaxation and diffusion methods for monitoring the microscopic wate
 r and solute (re-)distribution in complex multicomponent\, multiphase (bio
 -)polymer systems. Results will be presented for nano-porous synthetic hyd
 rogels\; microscopically heterogeneous mixed biopolymer systems and cellul
 ar tissue. Methods to be discussed include 2- and 3-dimensional cross corr
 elation NMR methods\, NMR field-cycling techniques as well as the possible
  advantages of cross-correlating different spectroscopic methods using nov
 el Halbach open-access NMR. The importance of working over a wide range of
  frequencies is emphasised and the strengths and limitations of NMR microi
 maging will be discussed. 
LOCATION:IRC in Superconductivity Seminar Room\, Cavendish Laboratory
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