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

该奖项由主要研究仪器（MRI）和化学研究仪器计划共同支持，以响应2022年CHIPS和科学法案发起的促进氦回收，再循环和/或再利用的提案征集。托莱多大学正在购买一个氦回收系统，以从四个NMR光谱仪中捕获和回收氦，这四个NMR光谱仪支持Yong-Wah Kim教授沿着与同事Jon Kirchhoff的研究。该设备支持合成化学、高分子化学、催化和药物发现领域的研究。一般来说，核磁共振（NMR）光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，并研究溶液或固态分子之间相互作用的动力学。对于从事前沿研究的化学家来说，使用最先进的NMR光谱仪是必不可少的。这些仪器的超导磁体依赖于定期输送的液氦来维持其运行。然而，由于全球和国家的挑战，氦供应的不稳定性危及依赖NMR光谱的研究计划。氦回收系统收集从核磁共振谱仪的超导磁体蒸发的氦，然后将氦重新浓缩以供重复使用。该设备支持教育，研究和教学工作在各级多个部门以及学术和工业研究人员在整个西北俄亥俄州。 该奖项旨在支持各级研究和教育。具体来说，这个氦回收系统收集氦蒸发物，用于从超导磁体中进行再结晶和再利用，超导磁体维持该机构的四个NMR光谱仪的运行。该设备支持的NMR仪器支持许多研究项目，包括合理设计用于C-H活化和官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。该设备支持的仪器包括利用氮中心和过渡金属络合物合成含氮杂环化合物和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 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.