NMR microscopy for measurement of the biomass distribution within a porous media system
EMSL Project ID
2279
Abstract
We have recently completed an initial study to examine the possibility of using NMR microscopy to image biofilms in porous media. This research has potential applications to biochemical engineering and bioremediation, with possible programmatic funding opportunities from the Office of Science (NAIR, BES) or from Environmental Management (EMSP). Our initial results provided excellent resolution (30 µm) of the fluid/solid phases within the porous media matrix, and provided us with necessary background data to design a diffusion weighting scheme that will also allow the imaging of biofilms within the porous matrix. We propose to conduct a more advanced proof-of principal experiment to validate the imaging ability in two steps: (1) imaging of a biofilm on a fiduciary grid using the combined NMR/confocal microscope, and (2) subsequent imaging of biofilms grown in the pore space of a 0.25 mm diameter media packed in a 7 mm NMR tube.
Project Details
Project type
Capability Research
Start Date
2002-03-29
End Date
2002-09-03
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator