Professor Thomas Meersmann from the University of Nottingham Visited APM

    On January 26, 2026, Professor Thomas Meersmann from the University of Nottingham was invited to deliver an academic report titled “Monoatomic Spin Systems as Magnetic Resonance Probes for Biomedical and Engineering Applications” at the 1819 conference room of M Building. The report was hosted by Prof. Xin Zhou.

    Professor Meersmann is a leading expert in magnetic resonance physics and hyperpolarization techniques. His research focuses on monoatomic spin systems, optical pumping and spin-exchange mechanisms, as well as the application of hyperpolarized noble gases in magnetic resonance imaging. He has made significant contributions to the development of hyperpolarized ₁₂₉Xe and ₈₃Kr techniques, achieving internationally recognized results in both fundamental mechanisms and imaging methodologies.

    In his lecture, Professor Meersmann systematically introduced the physical principles of monoatomic spin systems and their significance as magnetic resonance probes. He highlighted the development and core concepts of spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP), and demonstrated the application potential of hyperpolarized noble gases through representative examples. The talk further presented recent progress in the use of hyperpolarized ₁₂₉Xe and ₈₃Kr for lung functional imaging, gas diffusion characterization, and microstructural probing, emphasizing their promising prospects in biomedical imaging and engineering applications.

    The lecture concluded with active discussions between Professor Meersmann and the audience on experimental implementation, imaging performance optimization, and future directions of hyperpolarized gas MRI. His clear explanations and insightful responses left a strong impression on the participants and provided valuable perspectives for future research and collaboration in this field.