Recently, the COST Action EURELAX CA15209 "European Network on NMR Relaxometry" has been approved. In this action, Jose Javier Serrano, Scientific Coordinator of Unit 15 of NANBIOSIS, has been directly involved as Secondary Proposer.
The “European Network on NMR Relaxometry” Action aims to develop a research network focused on NMR relaxometry for fundamental and applied sciences concerned with the molecular dynamics of soft and hard matter. NMR relaxometry possesses the unique ability to reveal the mechanisms of molecular motion and their characteristic times over a huge range of time scales from picosecond to millisecond, with selectivity in probing the dynamics of molecular and ionic species. This potential of NMR relaxometry will be developed with applications in advanced materials science and industry, medical diagnostics and therapeutics, agri-food and environmental science and technologies. This research is intrinsically related to progress in the understanding of spin relaxation phenomena and in technological development, as both components form the basis for the fundamental and technology-oriented research employing NMR relaxometry.
NMR relaxometry is a scientific and technological asset of Europe. The joint efforts of scientists across numerous disciplines (chemistry, physics, materials science and others), of medical doctors and engineers, regrouped through the networking means provided by this Action, will allow the efficient exploitation of NMR relaxometry in fields that are currently key challenges for Europe, such as early disease detection, energy sources and storage, advanced tuneable materials, food quality, soil fertility, water and sediment performance.
The Action will play a seminal role in facilitating links between the scientific and industrial communities for knowledge exchange and technology transfer to stimulate cross-disciplinary innovations, educating the next generation of talented researchers and developing the full potential of NMR relaxometry in Europe.