H. Song, J. Harkrider
Canyon Magnet Energy, Inc.,
United States
Keywords: NMR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, biomanufacturing, HTS Magnets, High Temperature Superconducting Magnets, superconductivity, high resolution, compact, benchtop
Summary:
Canyon Magnet Energy (CME) is pioneering a breakthrough in magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) NMR system engineered for benchtop and portable use. Traditional high-field NMR systems rely on bulky, cryogen-dependent low-temperature superconducting (LTS) and magnets, presenting barriers for adoption in biomanufacturing settings due to high operating costs, space requirements, and infrastructure demands. CME’s compact 5.7 Tesla 250 MHz NMR system, co-developed with Quad Systems, integrates REBCO-based HTS magnet technology and a long-life Stirling cryocooler, eliminating the need for liquid helium and reducing operational costs by over 90%. Operating at 45 K, the system offers near-zero energy loss, enhanced stability, and quench resilience. It achieves high-resolution spectroscopy (equivalent to 250 MHz) in a plug-and-play (low energy consumption <1 kW) benchtop form factor, making it ideal for in-line process monitoring, quality control, and molecular analysis in the biomanufacturing of biologics, biosimilars, and cell/gene therapies. The system’s compact footprint (~150 kg), and cryogen-free design open new opportunities for decentralized and scalable NMR deployment in GMP environments. Backed by SOSV/HAX, along with Liquidmetal Ventures and Ecosphere Ventures, CME is advancing its technology from TRL 4 towards commercialization. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Quad Systems accelerates integration with industry-standard consoles and workflows. CME’s HTS magnet design platform, McMagnet, and automated winding techniques ensure scalable, low-cost manufacturing to serve emerging applications in biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical R&D, and synthetic biology.