The NMR Expertise Center (NMR EC) currently (December 2022) has 5 NMR spectrometers of different field strengths going from 300MHz to 700MHz. Each spectrometer is equipped with one or more detection probes that allow to interrogate organic molecules in solution about their molecular structure, behavior in solution, internal dynamics, intermolecular interactions, ... . Examples of these organic molecules include natural and synthesis products, polymers, metabolites, complex peptides, nucleic acids and sugars. Each probe has multiple channels where a diversity of atomic nuclei can be addressed simultaneously or not. Typical examples are 1H, 13C, 15N but also less courtant nuclei such as 31P, 19F, 29Si, 119Sn, 199Hg,.... are among the possibilities. In principle, any element can be examined on one or more devices as long as it has an NMR active isotope and the sensitivity on the device in question is adequate. Furthermore, each spectrometer is equipped with an automatic sample changer (60 positions) that makes it possible to measure many samples in a short period of time, as well as the necessary peripheral equipment to perform measurements at different temperatures (-150°C tem 150°C).
Each spectrometer within the NMR EC has a specific mission and user scenario: the three high-field spectrometers (2* 500MHz and 700MHz) are mainly used by highly specialized users whose research needs high sensitivity and/or resolution. In addition, the low-field spectrometers (300 and 400MHz) are used in the open access facility where non-NMR experts can have their samples analyzed using a list of standardized measurements in a highly automated setup.
Whereas until recently the infrastructure of the NMR EC focused almost exclusively on molecules in solution, recent investments have extended this to solids and molecules at the interface between solid and liquid states. This further expands the application field of the NMR technique to analyze inorganic samples in addition to organic molecules. Examples of the latter include quantum dots, zeolites, MOFs (metal organic frameworks), nanoporous and crystalline materials.
Type: Facility
Location type: Single sited
Accessibility: Everyone
User modalities: <p> The two low-field spectrometers (300 and 400MHz) are in principle accessible to all researchers from Ghent University and beyond (industry, other universities or institutes) and can be used freely during opening hours without reservation. Potential users should report to the CTO (Dr. Emile Ottoy) and/or CSO (Dr. Dieter Buyst) of the NMR EC. After an introduction to the devices and a briefing on the safety measures, the users receive an individual account and can either carry out measurements independently or have measurements carried out by employees of the NMR EC. Every quarter, a summary is made of the number of measurements for each user and the cost is calculated according to the prevailing rate (internal or external user, academic or non-academic). Measurements that fall outside the commonly available techniques can always be performed on request and/or made available to individual user(s). <br> <br>The high-field spectrometers (500 and 700MHz) are only accessible to specialized users with a clear need for regular access to this infrastructure. Academic users (internal and external) can request access and, after a multi-day training, gain access to the reservation system of these devices, after which they can use the equipment completely independently. The costs are calculated on the basis of the measurement time used according to the established academic rate via the central reservation system (CFMS 'Infinity'). Non-experts or external industrial users can have measurements carried out here by NMR EC employees on request and do not have hands-on access to these devices. The request is worked out in advance via a tailor-made offer and always consists of three major components: steel preparation, measurement time and staff time, recalculated on the basis of the applicable rates, with a distinction between academic and industrial customers. <br> <br>Given the specific nature and critical steel preparation, the solid state NMR setup is in between both scenarios: for academic clients with a mutual need for NMR support, a few PhDs or postdoc students are designated and trained to use this infrastructure. After the introduction, they can independently analyze their own samples and those of their non-trained colleagues through a series of standardized measurements in an automated setup. Here too, the total measurement time used is settled per research group at the prevailing academic rates via the online reservation system. External or non-expert users again do not have hands-on access to this infrastructure, but can always request an analysis and have it carried out by employees of the NMR EC, with an accompanying quote. </p>
In use: 1 Jan 2020 → Today
Disciplines: Analytical spectrometry, Instrumental methods, Spectroscopic methods, Structural analysis, Chemical characterisation of materials, Bio-organic chemistry, Physical organic chemistry, Analytical biochemistry, Nucleic acids, Other organic elements and compounds
Keywords: structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, molecular characterisation
