To attend the seminar, please email Thomas Theis at ttheis@ncsu.edu

Title and Abstract:

Engineering DNP Experiments: Understanding and Manipulating Electron Spin Polarization

DNP is a technique to transfer the high polarization of electrons spins to relatively insensitive nuclei, normally using microwave irradiation. A major focus in DNP research is to understand the role of electron spin coupling network in pursuit of improving DNP efficiency at conditions germane to solid-state NMR, i.e. high magnetic field, high temperature and fast magic-angle sample spinning. In this talk, key strategies towards engineering DNP experiments will be highlighted.

First, I will exhibit the role of EPR as a tool to gain insight into the electron spin coupling network and to decipher the underlying DNP mechanism. Then based on this knowledge, the importance of smart manipulation of electron spin polarization using AWG enabled time-domain microwave irradiation, to improve DNP efficiency, will be demonstrated. Finally, I will discuss the role of microscopic quantum mechanical modeling of coupled electron spins to develop polarizing agents (radicals) for rotating solids.

Research:

Asif’s main focus is method development and application of solid-state dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhanced NMR to study biosolids, in particular aggregation intermediates of Tau proteins. In addition to this, understanding electron spin dynamics under non-continuous microwave irradiation condition is another major goal in the pursuit of improving DNP efficiency in power limited and faster magic-angle spinning frequency regime.

Education:

2008 – 2013: B.S., M.S., Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India
2013 – 2016: Ph.D., Inter-disciplinary Nanoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark (Advisor: Prof. Niels Chr. Nielsen

Experience:

2016: Postdoctoral Researcher, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India (Advisor: Prof. P. K. Madhu)
2016 – present: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California – Santa Barbara (Advisor: Prof. Songi Han)

Awards:

2008 – 2013: INSPIRE Fellowship

Check out the Han Research Group.