Synergies between Hyperpolarized NMR and Microfluidics: A Review

Hyperpolarized nuclear magnetic resonance and lab-on-a-chip microfluidics are two dynamic, but until recently quite distinct, fields of research. Recent developments in both areas increased their synergistic overlap. By microfluidic integration, many complex experimental steps can be brought together onto a single platform. Microfluidic devices are therefore increasingly finding applications in medical diagnostics, forensic analysis, and biomedical research. In particular, they provide novel and powerful ways to culture cells, cell aggregates, and even functional models of entire organs. Nuclear magnetic resonance is a non-invasive, high-resolution spectroscopic technique which allows real-…