Possible Magnetic Resonance Signal Due to the Movement of Counterions around a Polyelectrolyte with Rotational Symmetry

Experimental, theoretical and computational studies revealed that the characteristic time scales involved in counterion dynamics in polyelectrolytes systems might span several orders of magnitude ranging from subnanosecond times to time scales corresponding to acoustic-like phonon mode frequencies, with an structural organization of counterions in charge density waves (CDWs). These facts raise the possibility of observing Magnetic Resonance (MR) signals due to the movement of counterions in polyelectrolytes. In case that this signal is detected in macroions or other biological systems, like micelles, vesicles, organeles, etc. with rotational symmetry, this method opens a new tool to measure with precission the counterions velocity.