Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a central analytical method in the development of research programs in advanced molecular architectures for chemical, materials, biomaterials and biomedical applications at The University of Western Ontario. This application is for a new NMR console that will provide exceptional sensitivity for analyses and be able to run in automation mode. <span style=""line-height: 1.5em;"">During automation, a researcher can submit a sample into the automation queue in roughly 30 seconds, where it will be run when its turn in the queue is up. A spectrometer accessory known as an auto-sampler inserts the sample into NMR magnet, where the desired spectra are acquired without any further user input. Once complete, the sample is ejected and the auto-sampler inserts the next sample in the queue. Because there is no wait period between samples, the spectrometer remains in constant use and runs as efficiently as possible. In this capacity, the instrument represents a true &ldquo;24/7 work horse&rdquo;, and will be a key component in advancing the research programs of numerous faculty.&nbsp;</span><span style=""line-height: 1.5em;"">In an average week, a total of over 200 samples from 12 different research groups will utilize the spectrometer. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is the most common analytical technique used to elucidate the three dimensional structures of organic and inorganic compounds.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style=""line-height: 1.5em;""></span><span style=""line-height: 1.5em;"">Throughout North America and around the globe, NMR spectroscopy is a central analytical tool within all research-intensive chemistry and biochemistry departments and chemical and pharmaceutical companies. It is thus imperative that any Western researcher that makes use of NMR spectroscopy receives advanced training on how to operate a modern NMR spectrometer, independently. It is also imperative that the training be on current generation spectrometers that they will likely encounter in their future places of employment, and not on depreciated instrumentation not likely to be found elsewhere.&nbsp;</span></p>