Urgent Repair of Failing X-band EPR Spectrometer & Replacement of VT Unit

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Refurbishment and repair of an existing, but failing, variable temperature (VT) X-band EPR spectrometer is necessary for the continued viability of a range of research endeavours at the University of Guelph. This instrument, originally installed in 2004, has supported research in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, food science, materials design, and environmental remediation. It has enabled enhanced training of 50+ highly qualified personnel (HQP), from undergraduate students to post-doctoral researchers. It has contributed to the retention of faculty and graduate students for nearly two decades. However, due to aging electronics (circuit boards and connections), the instrument is no longer functioning properly. Luckily, the magnet, power supply, and water chiller are all in excellent working order, and a "digital upgrade" compatible with the existing system is available from the manufacturer, as is a replacement VT unit. This upgrade would replace all failing components with new electronic components, and replace the broken VT system, resulting in improved performance and extending the lifetime of the instrument for another 15+ years. The consortium of (co)applicants and users submitting this application includes chemists working in the fields of catalyst development, materials design, and the chemistry of life, as well as engineers, food scientists, and microbiologists. We are representative of the diversity of gender, culture, ethnicity, and racial background at the University of Guelph, including researchers at early, and mid- career stages. Restored access to the proposed infrastructure will enable us to continue offering enhanced training to our HQP. At present, the HQP who will make use of the EPR include members of underrepresented groups, a reflection of our commitment to equitable recruitment and training practices. This shared infrastructure will further the diversity of research and working relationships at Guelph, acting as a hub around which new collaborative ideas will be formed and providing networking opportunities for our HQP beyond their home departments and disciplines. Current and future research endeavours that rely on refurbishing the X-band EPR spectrometer are of value to Canadians in several ways. Catalyst design for the conversion of waste biomass will decrease our dependence on coal, oil, and gas as starting materials for high-value industrial precursors (e.g., for nylon manufacturing). The development of EPR-addressable molecular components with quantum computing functionality will usher in the next technological era. Biotechnology for controlling of nucleic acid activity will elucidate the biochemistry of aging processes and help treat diseases such as cancer. The process intensification of waste valorization will address environmental issues such as carbon sequestration and the reduction of greenhouse gas production.