Abstract: A method for preparing an NMR material, comprising generating parahydrogen in gas or liquid form at a first location; transporting the parahydrogen away from the first location; mixing a precursor compound including a metabolite component with a catalyst for hydrogenation; hydrogenating the precursor compound using the parahydrogen; transferring polarization in the precursor compound to a nuclear spin of the metabolite component; cleaving a side arm of the precursor compound in a chemical reaction, with the metabolite molecule being one of the products of the reaction; separating the metabolite molecule from the catalyst for hydrogenation and other products of the reaction; and generating metabolite molecules for use in an MRI scanner by extracting a sample of the metabolite molecule having at least 5% polarization.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes methods for producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes precursor compounds for use in producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generation of hyperpolarized target compounds. Generation of a hyperpolarized target compound can include application of a sequence of microwave pulses to a solution containing the target compound or a precursor of the target compound; or modulation of a magnetic field applied to the solution. When the precursor is hyperpolarized, the precursor can be cleaved to generate the hyperpolarized target compound. The hyperpolarized target compound can then be induced to precipitate out of the solution. The precipitate can be redissolved in a specified volume of solvent to form a solution having a desired concentration of the hyperpolarized target compound.

Abstract: A method for preparing an NMR material, comprising generating parahydrogen in gas or liquid form at a first location; transporting the parahydrogen away from the first location; mixing a precursor compound including a metabolite component with a catalyst for hydrogenation; hydrogenating the precursor compound using the parahydrogen; transferring polarization in the precursor compound to a nuclear spin of the metabolite component; cleaving a side arm of the precursor compound in a chemical reaction, with the metabolite molecule being one of the products of the reaction; separating the metabolite molecule from the catalyst for hydrogenation and other products of the reaction; and generating metabolite molecules for use in an MRI scanner by extracting a sample of the metabolite molecule having at least 5% polarization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating hyperpolarized target materials are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can include hyperpolarizing a compound then transferring polarization to a target material. The compound can be selected to have nuclear spins. The compound can be further selected to have electron spins that, when exposed to certain electromagnetic radiation, exceed a predetermined level of polarization. The compound can be exposed to such electromagnetic radiation, optically hyperpolarizing the electron spins of the compound. Polarization can then be transferred from the electron spins of the compound to nuclear spins of the compound, at least in part by exposing the compound to a magnetic field. The compound can be exposed to the target material before or after pulverizing the compound to increase the surface area of the compound, thereby facilitating transfer of polarization from the compound to the target material.

Abstract: A stored crop treatment system includes a crop storage chamber and a gas stream circulation pathway which includes a re-circulation loop comprising the crop storage chamber. A feed mechanism feeds stored crop treatment material into a stream of gas moving through the re-circulation loop wherein the stream of gas comes from the crop storage chamber. A heat exchanger heats the stream of gas to thermally generate an aerosol of the stored crop treatment material. A blower moves the aerosol along the re-circulation loop to apply the aerosol to stored crops within the storage chamber. The circulation pathway includes a cooling gas loop comprising the crop storage chamber and a section of the re-circulation loop. Cooling gas from the crop storage chamber moves along the cooling gas loop into the section of the re-circulation loop to cool the heated stream of gas and aerosol prior to entering the crop storage chamber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating and delivering an aerosol of a unique composition for treating stored crops. One aspect of the invention is such a composition wherein at least 80% to 98% of the components thereof have a particle size value no greater than 10 microns, whereby nearly any type of aerosol generator may effectively generate the aerosol because the particle size distribution of the components eliminates the need for further particle size reduction. Another aspect of the invention is such a composition which includes components comprising solid carriers with stored crop treatments attached thereto. Preferably, a fine-grinding non-rotary ball mill produces the components at the desired particle size distribution. The solid carriers or other solid particles may provide a reduced caking tendency and may make the aerosol non-combustible regardless of the ignition source. The aerosol is typically generated at an ambient or near-crop-storage temperature, thus reducing fire hazards.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating and delivering an aerosol of a unique composition for treating stored crops. One aspect of the invention is such a composition wherein at least 80% to 98% of the components thereof have a particle size value no greater than 10 microns, whereby nearly any type of aerosol generator may effectively generate the aerosol because the particle size distribution of the components eliminates the need for further particle size reduction. Another aspect of the invention is such a composition which includes components comprising solid carriers with stored crop treatments attached thereto. Preferably, a fine-grinding non-rotary ball mill produces the components at the desired particle size distribution. The solid carriers or other solid particles may provide a reduced caking tendency and may make the aerosol non-combustible regardless of the ignition source. The aerosol is typically generated at an ambient or near-crop-storage temperature, thus reducing fire hazards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying aerosols of chemical formulations to a stored crop is described. The aerosol may be generated by any suitable means using thermal aerosol generators or “cool” aerosol generators. The improvement is the use of the crop storage facility air in the generation of the aerosol and, or the cooling of the aerosol. An important use of the invention is the application of CIPC to stored potatoes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracheal cannula for the mechanical respiration of tracheotomised patients having a cuff which encloses and seals the proximal section which can be inserted concentrically in the trachea, a curved section arranged above the cuff and an inner cannula which can be inserted concentrically into the cannula from the distal end thereof, an exhalation opening being provided in the cannula above the cuff sealing the trachea and approximately in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bent section insertable in the trachea, and, in its region lying beneath the exhalation opening, the inner cannula comprises an opening, which is at least partially covered by an elastic diaphragm acting as a valve, and at its proximal end the inner cannula comprises a region which is constricted in its cross section.