Previous attempts to exploit nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) for remote detection applications have suffered from insufficient penetration depths and inadequate signal-to-noise ratios. Recent advances in nmr remote detection technology will allow the development of an advanced remote nmr system capable of locating small, non-metallic objects. The unique geometry of this remote detection nmr system will minimize or eliminate interference due to soil variations and the effects of weather conditions and will permit the detection of objects on the surface of the earth, objects shallowly buried, and objects located in shallow water. While most spectral information is lost when nmr is performed on solid compounds, additional recent results suggest that the nuclear solid effect may be used to define unique nmr signatures for specific chemical compounds in the solid state. We propose to define nmr signatures for the compounds of interest and incorporate the results into the design of an advanced remote nmr system for the detection of non-metallic objects. From presently available data, it appears that development of a manportable sensor head is possible and that development of a complete manportable system may be feasible.
