Development of a novel Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Sensor for studies of porous solids

Low field nuclear magnetic resonance is a unique technique for obtaining local information inside large opaque materials, and extract physicochemical parameters such as porosity and permeability. This information is invaluable for the understanding of carbonate and sandstone reservoir rocks, as well as porous materials such as geo-polymers and building materials such as clay-based ceramics, calcium- silicate blocks and new generation hybrid mortars and concrete. Since KU Leuven has currently no such NMR device, we propose to build a novel, transportable sensor having a large diameter to accommodate industrially relevant samples and perform for the first time in situ analysis at various magnetic fields and temperatures. It will be used in material and geo- science research to provide pore size distributions, porosity, self-diffusion in materials containing a variable concentration of paramagnetic and metallic species and thus for real-life industrial applications.