The low-field NMR diffusometry and relaxometry laboratory was founded in 2007 and is associated with the Department of Physics and Chemistry at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. The laboratory is designed to study molecular dynamics at the interface or under confinement conditions inside porous media. The systems under study are cement-based materials, liquids confined inside porous ceramics with controlled amounts of magnetic impurities, polymers, liquid crystals, binary mixtures of fluids, ionic liquids, fuel cell membranes, etc.
Using NMR relaxometry and diffusometry techniques in the investigation of fluids confined inside porous media, it is possible to extract information about surface properties, pore dimensions, and connectivity. Other information refers to the ageing and alteration processes of different materials such as rubber, polymers, lubricants, or food.
In our laboratory, we are also interested in developing new NMR techniques suitable for the investigation of systems with a high content of magnetic impurities (concrete, rocks, soils, and different building materials).