MRI: Acquisition of High Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Spectrometer – cutting edge tool for modern research

这项奖励使我们能够获得最先进的仪器(高频/高场电子顺磁谱仪)，以研究含有未配对电子的化合物的结构。这种分子被称为“顺磁性”，在生物体和环境中具有至关重要的功能。该仪器将为医学和生物学(新药开发、了解蛋白质活性和相互作用，以及用于疾病诊断的新分子的开发)、信息学和工程学(开发新型存储芯片、绿色能源材料)的研究提供尖端工具，并将实现重大技术飞跃，使此类系统的高级研究成为可能。由于现有技术的较差分辨率，顺磁性化合物的研究一直受到阻碍，而且由于其技术限制和低可用性，这项技术传统上没有被用作研究的通用工具。这一仪器不仅将为许多区域和国家研究人员的研究能力增加一个全新的层面，而且还将为新一代科学家提供必要的学习工具。培训将通过在全国各地的研究机构宣传的开放参观计划向全国的学生和博士后提供。该奖项旨在购买Bruker ELEXYS E780，这是美国第一台在263 GHz下运行的商业化制造的高频/高场电子顺磁谱仪。这将是运行在250 GHz以上的第二台仪器；也是唯一具有电子-核共振能力的高频仪器。ELEXYS E780可以在连续波和脉冲波模式下进行实验，采用电子-核双共振和电子-核-核共振技术，在4K以下的温度下，可以显著提高磁场中自旋取向的灵敏度和分辨率，从而提供详细的顺磁中心结构信息。关于核离顺磁中心的距离和高光谱分辨率的详细信息可以在固体、气体、液体、细胞和活体中获得。将立即从收购该仪器中受益的项目包括：了解疾病中线粒体功能变化的研究；光系统II的运行和人造光合作用系统的开发；将生物质转化为有价值的产品；设计更好的聚合物；开发新的生物成像分子；以及了解许多环境污染物的来源和命运。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 enables the acquisition of the most modern instrumentation (high frequency/high field electron paramagnetic spectrometer) to study structure of compounds that contain unpaired electrons. Such molecules are called “paramagnetic” and have critical functions in living organisms and in the environment. This instrument will provide a cutting edge tool for studies in medicine and biology (new drug development, understanding of protein activity and interactions, and development of new molecules used for disease diagnostics), informatics and engineering (development of new class of memory chips, green energy materials) and will allow for significant technological jump that enables advanced studies of such systems. Studies of paramagnetic compounds have been hampered due to poor resolution of existing technology and this technique has not traditionally been used as a common tool for research due to its technological limitations and low availability. This instrument will not only add a completely new dimension to the research capabilities for many regional and national researchers, but also provide an essential learning tool for a new generation of scientists. Training will be provided to students and postdoctoral associates nationwide through an open house program advertised at research institutions throughout the country.The award seeks to purchase the Bruker ELEXYS E780, the first commercially manufactured high frequency/high field electron paramagnetic spectrometer in the United States, operating at 263 GHz. This would be the second instrument operating above 250 GHz; and the only high frequency instrument with electron-nuclear resonance capabilities. The ELEXYS E780 can perform experiments at both continuous wave and pulse wave mode, with electron-nuclear double resonance and electron-nuclear-nuclear resonance techniques and at temperatures down to 4 K. As a result, a significant increase in sensitivity and resolution of the spin orientation in the magnetic field can be achieved, which provides detailed structural information of the paramagnetic center. Detailed information regarding the nuclear distances from the paramagnetic centers and high spectral resolution can be achieved in solids, gases, liquids, cells, and in vivo. Projects that will immediately benefit from the acquisition of this instrument include research to understand changes in mitochondria function in diseases; photosystem II operation and development of man-made photosynthesis systems; conversion of biomass into valuable products; engineering of better polymers; development of new bioimaging molecules; and understanding the origin and fate of many environmental pollutants.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.