Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has become one of the most useful and versatile techniques for characterizing solid materials at the molecular level, and can be applied to study crystalline materials, glasses and disordered materials,  metal alloys, biomembranes, proteins, drugs, agricultural products, polymers, etc.  Characterizing such solid materials at the molecular level gives researchers insight into the rational design of new materials and the atomic origins of their bulk properties.   Such understanding has and will continue to have enormous scientific, technological and economic impact.    The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Windsor has an active solid-state NMR research group (Prof. Schurko) that is involved in studying the solid materials such as catalytic metallocenes, nanoparticles, supramolecular layered materials and pharmaceuticals.  There is currently a full-time dedicated spectrometer (Varian) for his group, and a part-time spectrometer (Bruker) for solid-state NMR which is shared by the department.  Schurko's group collaborates and performs service work for a number of other research groups, including Profs. Loeb (supramolecular systems), Antonelli (mesoporous solids, fuel cells), Macdonald (organometallics, polymers) and Eichhorn (liquid crystals, nanoparticles).  Due to the increased demand for solid-state NMR time and collaboration, the part-time spectrometer must be upgraded to full capability.    The Bruker DRX-500 is equipped for solid-state NMR; however, the proton amplifier, which is crucial in many routine experiments, is too low power to be of use in routine solid-state NMR experiments.  We are proposing to trade in our old amplifier (100 W) and upgrade to a new 300 W amplifier for 1H and 19F NMR applications.  This will permit a wide range of routine and specialized solid-state NMR experiments to be conducted on site, benefitting all of the research groups in the department.