MRI: Acquisition of a Cryoprobe Equipped Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer for Studying Macromolecules, Bioactive Isolates, and Dynamic Processes

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This award is jointly funded by the Chemical Research Instrumentation (CRIF) program, the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program. Professor Paul Rupar from the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa and colleagues Elizabeth Papish, Jason Bara, Marco Bonizzoni and Lukasz Ciesla are acquiring a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer equipped with a cryoprobe. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers measure the interaction of radio waves with a sample's atomic nuclei in the presence of a strong magnetic field. The information provided by NMR spectrometers allows researchers to identify unknown substances, determine the structure of molecules, macromolecules, and biomolecules, and monitor reaction dynamics in solution. Because of its versatility, ease of use, and non-destructive nature, NMR spectroscopy supports much of modern chemical-based research and is critical to the fields of organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, biochemistry and materials science. The cryogenic probe provides a significant increase in sensitivity relative to standard NMR probes. The instrument is also used to train undergraduate and graduate students in the use of this powerful tool. The spectrometer is available for use by researchers at other institutions including Tuskegee University and Samford University.The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. Many research projects are progress and aided by this spectrometer. One project conducts structural studies of polymers used in chemical sensors, three-dimensional (3D) printing and in non-viral gene-transfection. Studies of the reduction of carbon dioxide catalyzed by transition metals are also being carried out. Work in another research group focuses on the bioinorganic chemistry of chromium, a potent mutagen and carcinogen when present as chromate. Routes to the development of pure cellulose-based plastics using current 3D printing technology are under study. Carbon dioxide reduction using ruthenium complexes as catalysts is also being investigated including efforts to eliminate the photosensitizer in the reduction process.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.