Abstract: A method for the preparation of a hyperpolarized solution of molecules comprises the steps: 1) suspending or coating of a micro-particulate matrix, which is comprising or consisting of the molecules, with a glass-forming solution or suspension comprising a DNP-suitable polarizing agent at a first temperature at which the micro-particulate matrix is not dissolving; 2) lowering the temperature leading to a frozen glassy DNP sample; 3) transferring the electron spin polarization of the polarizing agent in the glassy sample in a magnetic field to abundant nuclear spins of the glass-forming solution or suspension and/or the polarizing agent as well as to abundant nuclear spins of the molecules and cross-polarization from the abundant nuclear spins in the molecules to one different nuclear spin type in the molecules; and 4) increasing the temperature and dissolving the molecules which are hyperpolarized with respect of the different nuclear spins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a hyperpolarized sample material for use in an NMR investigation provides for a cryogenic region having a target material containing a first hyperpolarizable nuclear species, a second hyperpolarizable nuclear species, and a nuclear spin polarizing agent, wherein the first nuclear species has a higher magnetic moment than the second nuclear species. Microwave energy is used to excite electron spin transitions in the polarizing agent in the presence of a magnetic field. The first hyperpolarizable nuclear species is thereby caused to interact with the electron spin system in the polarizing agent and generate hyperpolarization of at least the first nuclear species of the target material. The target material is then subjected to a lowered magnetic field, wherein the lowered magnetic field facilitates polarization transfer by nuclear thermal mixing between the species to thereby hyperpolarize the second nuclear species.