MRI: Acquisition of High Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Spectrometer – cutting edge tool for modern research

该合同允许获得最先进的仪器（高频/高场电子顺磁谱仪）来研究含有未配对电子的化合物的结构。这种分子被称为“顺磁性”，在生物体和环境中具有关键功能。该仪器将为医学和生物学（新药开发，蛋白质活性和相互作用的理解，以及用于疾病诊断的新分子的开发），信息学和工程学（开发新型存储芯片，绿色能源材料）的研究提供尖端工具，并将允许重大的技术飞跃，使这些系统的高级研究成为可能。顺磁性化合物的研究由于现有技术的低分辨率而受到阻碍，并且由于其技术限制和低可用性，该技术传统上未被用作研究的常用工具。该仪器不仅将为许多区域和国家研究人员的研究能力增加一个全新的层面，而且还将为新一代科学家提供一个重要的学习工具。培训将通过在全国各地的研究机构宣传的开放项目向全国的学生和博士后提供。该合同旨在购买布鲁克ELEXYS E780，这是美国第一个商业生产的高频/高场电子顺磁光谱仪，工作频率为263 GHz。这将是第二个工作在250 GHz以上的仪器；也是唯一具有电子核共振能力的高频仪器。ELEXYS E780可以在连续波和脉冲波模式下进行实验，采用电子-核双共振和电子-核-核共振技术，温度低至4 K。结果表明，自旋取向在磁场中的灵敏度和分辨率显著提高，提供了顺磁中心的详细结构信息。在固体、气体、液体、细胞和体内均可获得与顺磁中心的核距离的详细信息和高光谱分辨率。将立即受益于该仪器的项目包括研究了解疾病中线粒体功能的变化；光系统II：人工光合系统的运行和发展；将生物质转化为有价值的产品；更好的聚合物工程；新型生物成像分子的开发；了解许多环境污染物的来源和命运。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award enables the acquisition of the most modern instrumentation (high frequency/high field electron paramagnetic spectrometer) to study structure of compounds that contain unpaired electrons. Such molecules are called “paramagnetic” and have critical functions in living organisms and in the environment. This instrument will provide a cutting edge tool for studies in medicine and biology (new drug development, understanding of protein activity and interactions, and development of new molecules used for disease diagnostics), informatics and engineering (development of new class of memory chips, green energy materials) and will allow for significant technological jump that enables advanced studies of such systems. Studies of paramagnetic compounds have been hampered due to poor resolution of existing technology and this technique has not traditionally been used as a common tool for research due to its technological limitations and low availability. This instrument will not only add a completely new dimension to the research capabilities for many regional and national researchers, but also provide an essential learning tool for a new generation of scientists. Training will be provided to students and postdoctoral associates nationwide through an open house program advertised at research institutions throughout the country.The award seeks to purchase the Bruker ELEXYS E780, the first commercially manufactured high frequency/high field electron paramagnetic spectrometer in the United States, operating at 263 GHz. This would be the second instrument operating above 250 GHz; and the only high frequency instrument with electron-nuclear resonance capabilities. The ELEXYS E780 can perform experiments at both continuous wave and pulse wave mode, with electron-nuclear double resonance and electron-nuclear-nuclear resonance techniques and at temperatures down to 4 K. As a result, a significant increase in sensitivity and resolution of the spin orientation in the magnetic field can be achieved, which provides detailed structural information of the paramagnetic center. Detailed information regarding the nuclear distances from the paramagnetic centers and high spectral resolution can be achieved in solids, gases, liquids, cells, and in vivo. Projects that will immediately benefit from the acquisition of this instrument include research to understand changes in mitochondria function in diseases; photosystem II operation and development of man-made photosynthesis systems; conversion of biomass into valuable products; engineering of better polymers; development of new bioimaging molecules; and understanding the origin and fate of many environmental pollutants.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.