MRI: Acquisition of Funds for NMR Instrumentation to Enhance Undergraduate Research and Course Instruction at Two Institutions in South Jersey

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With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Rowan University will acquire a 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer. In addition, funds are awarded to upgrade a 200 MHz NMR, which Rowan will donate to Richard Stockton College. The 400 MHz instrument will be used to support at least nine active investigations in two departments at Rowan University; a) the investigation of silica/silicate networks in acqueous solutions of silicic acid; b) characterization of fluoroacrylate-acrylate and -methacrylate co-polymers; c) magnetization-transfer NMR analysis of network formation in polymer gels; d) studying biomolecular recognition; e) 13C NMR-supported pyrolysis studies; f) development of solid polymer electrolytes for Li+ and H+ transport; g) silicon carbide fiber processing; h) protein structure determination; and i) controlled drug release studies. The upgraded 200 MHz instrument will be used at Richard Stockton College to support laboratory instruction and the synthesis and characterization of unique surfactants. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, to characterize specific arrangements of atoms within molecules, and to study the dynamics of interactions between molecules in solution. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies will have an impact in a number of areas including materials chemistry, biochemistry and chemical engineering.