Quantitative magnetic resonance measurements of low moisture content wood1This article is a contribution to the series The Role of Sensors in the New Forest Products Industry and Bioeconomy.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging are well established analytical tools with ever-increasing ranges of application. They are, however, generally underutilized in the areas of forestry and wood science. This is in part due to the complex nature of wood and wood–water interactions and also to the need of wood scientists for quantitative measurements of moisture content, fluid flow, wood structure, etc. Furthermore, magnetic resonance instruments have historically been large, sophisticated, and expensive and not generally compatible with wood production facilities. In this paper, we discuss the limitations of magnetic resonance to applications such as wood and describe how, with recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging technology, these limitations can be overcome. We highlight our own work with quantitative moisture content measurements and outline progress in the development of simpler, lightweight, and mobile magnetic resonance instruments. These are promising devices for routine portable magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, with the potential to finally extend these powerful techniques to the world of foresters and wood scientists.