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The technique of electron spin resonance (ESR, also known as EPR) and dynamic nuclear
polarization (DNP) involves microwave irradiation to excite the spin system under
investigation. In this presentation, I will demonstrate the usefulness of ESR spectroscopy in
answering a wide range of scientific questions. For example, we will see how ESR can be
used to determine the dynamics of molecular probes dissolved in interstitial water confined
inside ice grains, or to determine the dipolar coupling between spin tags attached to
biomolecules. The information obtained can be used for diverse applications ranging from
inferring the transient structure of deeply supecooled water, or determining the configuration
of a biomolecule, etc.
Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) employs microwave irradiation with the aim of NMR
signal enhancement. With a group of newly developed radicals as DNP polarizers,
13C NMR
signal enhancement as a function of microwave frequency (DNP sweep) shows unusual
broadening. Details of ESR experiments and theoretical investigations on the spin dynamics
that has been conducted to understand this broadening will be presented. Additionally, new
research ideas with ESR will also be discussed briefly. |