CHAPTER 6: Hardware developments: Handheld nmr systems for biomolecular sensing

By combining the physics of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and silicon radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits, we recently created progressively smaller NMR systems, which have been reported in references 1–4. Our strategy for NMR system miniaturization proved effective, culminating in the smallest prototype that weighs 0.1 kg and can be held in the palm of the hand. These small, low-cost NMR systems can be useful as biomolecular sensors in the personalized medicine setting, and we demonstrated their ability to detect proteins, compounds, and human cancer cells. The chapter reviews these developments. Portions of this chapter are reprinted from our recent review paper of with permission.