Dr. James Eills - Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prizewinner 2025
Analytical Chemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich
How do atoms behave in a magnetic field? What interactions do they enter into with other atoms? These dynamics form the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy – a method used to study chemical processes in microchips and biological processes in the human body. The sensitivity of this method is limited, however. This is where hyperpolarisation techniques come in: they amplify the signals obtained through nuclear magnetic resonance.
Working at the intersection of physics and chemistry, James Eills uses para-hydrogen for this technique, which significantly enhances imaging in magnetic resonance tomography. This approach also allows for a more detailed understanding of chemical processes and enzyme activity in the body – making it easier to identify diseases.