NIUMAG in the Spotlight | Advancing Geotechnical Frontiers! Suzhou NIUMAG Showcases Low-Field NMR Technology at the 4th Northwest Geotechnical Mechanics Conference

On July 30, the highly anticipated “4th Northwest Conference on Geotechnical Mechanics and Engineering 2025” was successfully held in Urumqi, Xinjiang. As a leading enterprise in the research and application of low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology in China, Suzhou Niumag Analytical Instrument Co., Ltd. unveiled two cutting-edge innovations in geotechnical mechanics research—“Application of Low-Field NMR in Triaxial Damage Testing” and the “In-situ Multi-Field Coupled NMR System Solution.” These technologies sparked widespread attention and lively discussions among attending scholars, highlighting NMR’s unique advantages in revealing micro-damage evolution and multi-field interaction mechanisms in geomaterials.

The conference brought together top experts and scholars from universities, research institutes, design firms, and engineering enterprises to exchange ideas on foundational theories, technical breakthroughs, and major engineering practices in geotechnical mechanics under special geological conditions. On this high-level platform focused on cutting-edge technology and engineering challenges, Suzhou Niumag’s featured solutions directly addressed critical pain points in the field:

Application of Low-Field NMR in Triaxial Damage Testing

The internal damage initiation, propagation, and evolution of geomaterials (such as rock and soil) under complex stress conditions (e.g., triaxial compression) are fundamental to determining their strength, deformation, and long-term stability. Conventional testing methods struggle to capture these processes in a non-destructive, quantitative, and continuous manner. Low-field NMR, with its exceptional sensitivity to changes in pore fluid (especially water), offers new capabilities:

• Enables non-destructive, real-time monitoring of dynamic changes in pore structure, fracture networks, water content, and migration during triaxial stress loading. Provides accurate quantitative damage characterization and helps establish correlations between damage variables and mechanical responses.

• Reveals the micro-mechanisms of damage evolution under different stress paths and confining pressure conditions—offering direct experimental evidence for more precise constitutive models and failure criteria.

• Serves as a powerful scientific tool for deeper understanding of geomaterial failure mechanisms and for evaluating long-term stability and disaster risk in geotechnical engineering.

In-situ Multi-Field Coupled NMR System Solution

Real-world geotechnical environments are influenced by the coupling of stress fields, seepage fields, thermal fields, and chemical fields. Simulating and observing these complex interactions in a lab setting is highly challenging. Niumag’s integrated in-situ multi-field coupling solution brings together core low-field NMR technology with customized stress-loading, seepage-control, temperature-control, and chemical-control systems.

• Enables in-situ, real-time, and non-invasive observation of internal structure, fluid transport, and phase transitions in rock/soil samples. Accurately replicates multi-field environments found in oil and mineral extraction, frozen ground engineering, and beyond.

• Provides a one-of-a-kind experimental platform and robust data support for studying mechanical behaviors, seepage characteristics, and coupled physical-chemical processes under complex conditions.

During the event, Suzhou Niumag’s booth attracted many delegates eager to engage in technical discussions. Niumag’s engineers held in-depth exchanges with experts from universities, research institutions, and engineering firms regarding the practical applications and technical strengths of low-field NMR in geotechnical research. The company’s innovations are not only solving fundamental scientific problems but also tackling complex engineering challenges—pushing the boundaries of geotechnical science and application.

This appearance at the Northwest Geotechnical Mechanics and Engineering Conference highlighted Suzhou Niumag’s deep expertise and ongoing innovation in applying low-field NMR technology to geotechnical engineering. The company remains committed to integrating advanced NMR tools into national strategic needs and frontier scientific research.

Looking ahead, Suzhou Niumag will continue advancing low-field NMR technology, expanding its applications in geomechanics and engineering. We are dedicated to driving progress in geotechnical testing, supporting the safety of major national infrastructure projects, enabling efficient resource and energy development, and contributing to sustainable environmental protection through technological innovation.