The properties of individual molecules and condensed matter are at the origin of the functions of almost every single product conceived, produced or analysed. Understanding and improving the properties of condensed matter requires the determination of both structure and dynamics with atomic resolution over a very broad range of timescales. No technique is available today to determine dynamics from picoseconds up to microseconds of complex systems in liquids with atomic resolution. The HIRES-MULTIDYN project introduces a ground-breaking technology: ultrafast high-resolution relaxometry (UHRR), which synergizes the high-resolution power of high-field nuclear magnetic resonance with multiscale dynamics low-field relaxation based on a new concept for critical fast-field switching. We will design, build, and test the first two proof-of-concept prototypes of UHRR instruments. We will develop the theoretical framework to understand the unprecedented measurements obtained by UHRR and interpret them in terms of molecular motions. We will exploit UHRR prototypes in a series of proof-of-concept applications covering a broad range of fields (drug design, food and health sciences, energy). These applications will demonstrate the unprecedented analytical power of UHRR and generate the momentum required to lead to the future development of a commercial UHRR system built in Europe. The HIRES-MULTIDYN project brings together a tight and complementary consortium of engineers, experimental scientists and theoreticians who are world leaders in NMR methods development, instrumentation, applications and in the theoretical foundations of magnetic relaxation and molecular dynamics simulations. Our ambition is to develop UHRR as a novel technology to determine the dynamic properties of condensed matter that will, within the next decade, boost the ability of scientists to innovate in academia and several industries (from pharma to food, energy and beyond) and enhance public health.

The properties of matter are intimately linked to their nanometric dynamics. Such properties are exploited in many industrial processes (chemical, energy, food, pharmaceutical) and the future successes of these industries depend on their ability to understand, improve and develop new properties. The quest to understand the properties of biological molecules at a fundamental level has been a fascinating field of research for several decades and most questions currently at the forefront of this field are linked to motions around the nanometric scale. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool to determine motions in complex systems with atomic resolution. Such high resolution is achievable thanks to the use of high magnetic fields. Yet, the determination of site-specific nanosecond motions (particularly slower than 10 ns) by liquid-state NMR is currently almost impossible. This hard limit is due to the necessity to measure relaxation (the rates of return towards equilibrium) at very low magnetic fields, orders of magnitude below the typical fields of high-resolution NMR. In the FASTRELAX-NANODYN project, we propose a radical approach: fast-field-cycling high-resolution relaxometry. We will design and build an innovative instrument as well as develop an experimental and theoretical framework to develop new experiments to probe (sub)nanometric motions at nanosecond timescales. The principle of the method is the following: (1) we obtain high resolution and high sensitivity with a high-field NMR magnet; (2) we use a new generation of sample shuttle to transfer the sample between the high-field center and an second magnet; (3) we rapidly (~1 ms) switch the field of the second magnet to very low magnetic fields (down to ~100 ?T) for relaxation (4) finally, we move the sample back to high fields for detection. The project is built on a small and highly complementary consortium, including the world leader of NMR instrumentation, NMR specialists with diverse expertise, and theoreticians. These methods will be implemented on a series of complex systems from two categories: (1) large protein machine (2) complex fluids relevant for human health, chemical, energy, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the number 1 cause of death globally: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. Despite emerging diagnostics tools and therapeutics, several areas of significant unmet need remain unaddressed among CVD patients. The ability to personalize cardiovascular medical care and improve outcomes, will require characterization of disease processes at a molecular level. The current state-of-the-art, e.g., Positron emission tomography (PET), does not provide detailed information about the chemical state of the tissue at a molecular level, therefore it remains difficult to accurately diagnose and confidently select appropriate therapy in many circumstances. The MetaboliQs project brings together two areas of European excellence - diamond-based quantum sensing and medical imaging. We will translate a newly developed hyperpolarization method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on the quantum dynamics of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. This breakthrough quantum technology will enable previously unachievable, highly sensitive quantification of metabolic activity, paving the way for precision diagnostics and better personalized treatment of cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases. For realizing and eventually commercializing the technology, MetaboliQs brings together a world-class multidisciplinary consortium with end to end expertise - leading diamond quantum technology research institutes (Fraunhofer IAF - quantum-grade diamond growth and fabrication, HUJI - quantum sensing) and innovative companies (Element 6 - worldwide leader in synthetic diamonds, NVision - inventor of diamond-based polarization), as well as two expert users of hyperpolarized and cardiovascular MRI (TUM, ETH Zurich - first in continental Europe to conduct clinical trials of hyperpolarized MRI for cardiovascular disease) and the market leader in electron paramagnetic resonance and preclinical MRI (Bruker).