Industrial applications of nuclear magnetic resonance

During the past 50 years the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has evolved from a scientific curiosity to a powerful analytical tool for physical scientists and the medical community. Its primary use is for analytical chemistry and medical imaging. NMR imaging and spectroscopy can non-invasively and non-destructively examine the physical and chemical composition of materials. The technology is now at a level of sophistication and maturity where industrial applications are possible. This article describes the basis of NMR imaging and spectroscopy and examines the application of NMR to a broad range of industrial applications.