Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Chemistry, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Federal Grant Program (CFDA 47.049), awarded $499,955 to the University of California, Los Angeles for a three-year project (February 1, 2026 – January 31, 2029) to develop an innovative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging methodology for analyzing non-Markovian diffusion transport in nanoscale porous materials. Under the direction of Professor Louis Bouchard, the research team will deliver a measurement strategy that transforms routine NMR spectra into nanoscopic probes of molecular motion by analyzing intrinsic NMR signal characteristics rather than requiring specialized hardware with extremely strong magnetic-field gradients. The deliverables include computational models integrating atomistic molecular-dynamics simulations with generalized Langevin equations, diffusion fingerprint characterizations benchmarked against variable-temperature NMR spectra, and validated methods for quantifying pore dimensions, viscosity, and surface adhesion properties in catalysts, energy-storage devices, filtration media, and biological systems such as human lungs.

The project generates additional deliverables through its educational and outreach components, including open-source code development, peer-reviewed publications documenting the technical methodology, and hands-on demonstrations introducing K-12 learners to molecular imaging and chemical measurement science careers. The research team will engage graduate, undergraduate, and high-school students in simulations, bench experiments, and software development activities, strengthening workforce development in advanced chemical measurement and imaging science.