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

翻新和维修现有的，但失败的，变温（VT）X波段EPR光谱仪是必要的，在圭尔夫大学的一系列研究工作的持续可行性。该仪器最初安装于2004年，支持化学，微生物学，食品科学，材料设计和环境修复等领域的研究。它加强了对50多名高素质人员（HQP）的培训，从本科生到博士后研究人员。近二十年来，它为留住教师和研究生做出了贡献。但是，由于电子设备（电路板和连接）老化，仪器不再正常工作。幸运的是，磁铁，电源和冷水机都处于良好的工作状态，并且制造商可以提供与现有系统兼容的“数字升级”，以及替换VT单元。此次升级将用新的电子元件替换所有故障组件，并替换损坏的VT系统，从而提高性能并将仪器的使用寿命再延长15年以上。 提交本申请的（共同）申请人和用户联盟包括在催化剂开发，材料设计和生命化学领域工作的化学家，以及工程师，食品科学家和微生物学家。我们代表了圭尔夫大学性别、文化、民族和种族背景的多样性，包括处于职业生涯早期和中期阶段的研究人员。恢复对拟议基础设施的访问将使我们能够继续为我们的HQP提供增强的培训。目前，将使用EPR的HQP包括代表性不足的群体的成员，这反映了我们对公平招聘和培训做法的承诺。这种共享的基础设施将进一步促进圭尔夫研究和工作关系的多样性，作为一个中心，围绕它将形成新的合作思想，并为我们的HQP提供超越其家庭部门和学科的网络机会。 目前和今后依靠整修X波段EPR光谱仪的研究工作在几个方面对加拿大人具有价值。用于转化废弃生物质的催化剂设计将减少我们对煤、石油和天然气作为高价值工业前体（例如，用于尼龙制造）。具有量子计算功能的EPR可寻址分子组件的开发将迎来下一个技术时代。控制核酸活性的生物技术将阐明衰老过程的生物化学，并有助于治疗癌症等疾病。加强废物价格稳定的进程将解决环境问题，如固碳和减少温室气体的产生。

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.