Small NMR biomolecular sensors

By combining the physics of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and silicon radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits, we recently created progressively smaller NMR systems, which we originally reported in Refs. [1], [2], [3] and [4]. Our strategy for NMR system miniaturization proved effective, culminating in the smallest prototype [3] and [4] that weighs 0.1 kg and can be held at 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 present paper, which is not a new technical contribution, reviews these developments.

► A 0.1-kg palm-sized miniature NMR system is developed. ► All essential NMR transceiver electronics are integrated on chip. ► The receiver uses resonance matching and achieves a low noise figure less than 1dB. ► The transmitter exploits protons’ natural high-Q filtering ability. ► The small NMR systems detect cancer marker proteins and cancer cells.