MRI: Track 3 Acquisition of a Helium Liquefaction and Recovery System for METRIC NMR Laboratories at NC State

该奖项由重大研究仪器(MRI)和化学研究仪器(CRIF)项目共同支持，以响应促进氦回收、循环和/或再利用的提案的征集。北卡罗来纳州立大学正在获取一个氦回收系统，以捕获和释放来自八个核磁共振光谱仪的氦，这些光谱仪与同事彼得·汤普森和约瑟夫·巴里奇一起支持孙晓燕的研究。该设备支持化学、生物、生物化学和材料科学领域的研究。核磁共振波谱是化学家用来阐明分子结构的最有力的工具之一。利用原子核的固有磁性，它被用来识别未知物质，表征分子内原子的特定排列，并研究分子在溶液或固体中相互作用的动力学。对于正在进行前沿研究的化学家来说，获得最先进的核磁共振光谱仪是必不可少的。这些仪器的超导磁体依靠定期输送的液氦来维持其运行。然而，由于全球和国家挑战导致的氦供应不稳定，危及依赖于核磁共振波谱的研究计划。这个氦回收系统从超导磁体中收集氦沸腾，然后重新排出氦以供其重复使用。该设备还支持学生的教育、研究和教学努力，包括来自STEM中代表性不足的群体的本科生，以及多个部门和周围社区的各级学生。该设备通过与邻近机构共享回收的氦来帮助稳定该地区的氦供应。该奖项旨在支持各级研究和教育。具体地说，这个氦回收系统收集超导磁体中的氦沸腾，以供再利用，从而稳定研究所的八台核磁共振光谱仪的运行。由该设备支持的核磁共振仪器支持研究项目，包括那些专注于研究能量和电子转移中发生的相干电子运动的影响的项目，这些平台属于多发色合成平台。回收系统有助于研究预晶化溶液的温度和浓度依赖特性。此外，该设备的获得还支持游离碱和铁络合物的表征，并设计了供体-桥-受体双自由基络合物中的顺磁性配体。该设备支持的其他研究项目包括合成和使用N-芳基多肽作为多肽连接反应的新前体，以及探索脱氢过氧化物酶动力学随底物结合和类型的变化的能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is jointly supported by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI), and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation (CRIF) programs in response to the solicitation of proposals that promote the recovery, recycle, and/or reuse of helium. North Carolina State University is acquiring a helium recovery system to capture and reliquefy helium from eight NMR spectrometers which support the research of Xiaoyan Sun along with colleagues Peter Thompson, and Joseph Barycki. This equipment supports research in the areas of chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and materials science. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. Using the intrinsic magnetic properties of atomic nuclei, 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 or in the solid state. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The superconducting magnets of these instruments rely on regular deliveries of liquid helium to maintain their operation. However, the instability in the helium supply due to global and national challenges jeopardizes research programs relying on NMR spectroscopy. This helium recovery system collects the helium boiloff from the superconducting magnets and then reliquefies the helium for its reuse. This equipment also supports the educational, research, and teaching efforts of students, including undergraduates from groups underrepresented in STEM, at all levels in multiple departments and the surrounding community. The equipment aids in stabilizing the helium supply in the region by sharing recovered helium with neighboring institutions.This award is aimed at supporting research and education at all levels. Specifically, this helium recovery system collects the helium boiloff for reliquefication and reuse from the superconducting magnets thereby stabilizing the operation of the institution’s eight NMR spectrometers. The NMR instrumentation supported by this equipment enables research projects including those focused on studying the effects of coherent electronic motions occurring in energy and electron transfer in classes of multi-chromophoric synthetic platforms. The recovery system aids in supporting the investigation of temperature and concentration dependent characteristics of pre-crystallizing solutions. Additionally, the acquisition of this equipment supports the characterization of free base and iron chelates and designer paramagnetic ligands in donor-bridge-acceptor biradical complexes. Other research projects supported by this equipment include the synthesis and use of N-aryl peptides as novel precursors for peptide ligation reactions and the ability to probe the changes in dehaloperoxidase dynamics as a function of substrate binding and type.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.