MRI: Track 3 Acquisition of Helium Recovery Equipment to Establish a Sustainable NMR Facility at the University of Toledo

该奖项由重大研究仪器(MRI)和化学研究仪器计划联合支持，以回应由2022年芯片和科学法案发起的促进氦回收、循环和/或再利用的提案的征集。托莱多大学正在获取一个氦回收系统，以从四个核磁共振光谱仪中捕获和释放氦，这四个光谱仪支持金永华教授和他的同事乔恩·基尔霍夫的研究。该设备支持合成化学、聚合物化学、催化和药物发现等领域的研究。总的来说，核磁共振波谱是化学家用来阐明分子结构的最强大的工具之一。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。氦回收系统从核磁共振光谱仪的超导磁铁中收集氦沸腾，然后重新回收氦以供重复使用。该设备支持俄亥俄州西北部多个部门的各级教育、研究和教学工作，以及学术和工业研究人员。该奖项旨在支持所有级别的研究和教育。具体地说，这个氦回收系统收集超导磁体中的氦沸腾，用于再液化和再利用，超导磁体支持该研究所的四个核磁共振光谱仪的运行。该设备支持的核磁共振仪器支持许多研究项目，包括合理设计用于C-H活化和功能化的过渡金属催化剂，以及开发用于包装的可回收生物基共聚酯。该设备支持仪器设备，包括利用含氮中心和过渡金属络合物合成含氮杂环，并开发用于绿色化学的有机金属催化剂。其他受益于该奖项的研究项目包括从神经保护性一氧化氮模拟物中释放一氧化氮的研究，以及无机和有机金属催化剂和试剂的开发。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 programs in response to the solicitation of proposals that promote the recovery, recycle, and/or reuse of helium initiated by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The University of Toledo is acquiring a helium recovery system to capture and reliquefy helium from four NMR spectrometers which support the research of Professor Yong-Wah Kim along with colleague Jon Kirchhoff. This equipment supports research in the areas of synthetic chemistry, polymer chemistry, catalysis, and drug discovery. In general, 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. A helium recovery system collects the helium boiloff from the superconducting magnets of NMR spectrometers and then reliquefies the helium for reuse. This equipment supports the educational, research, and teaching efforts at all levels in multiple departments as well as academic and industrial researchers throughout northwest Ohio. 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 which sustains the operation of the institution’s four NMR spectrometers. The NMR instrumentation supported by this equipment enables numerous research projects including the rational design of transition metal catalysis for C-H activation and functionalization and the development of recyclable bio-based co-polyesters for packaging. The equipment sustains instrumentation which involves harnessing nitrogen-centered and transition metal complexes for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles and the development of organometallic catalysts for green chemistry. Other research projects benefitting from this award include the study of nitric oxide release from neuroprotective nitric oxide mimetics and the development of inorganic and organometallic catalysts and reagents.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.