MRI: Track 3 Acquisition of Helium Recovery Equipment at West Virginia University

该奖项由重大研究仪器、化学研究仪器计划和既定的激励竞争性研究计划共同支持，以回应由2022年芯片和科学法案发起的促进氦回收、循环和/或再利用的建议的征集。西弗吉尼亚大学正在购买一套氦回收系统，以从五台核磁共振光谱仪中捕获和释放氦，以支持特里·古利安教授及其同事格雷戈里·达德利、布莱恩·波普、杰西卡·胡佛和卡斯滕·米尔斯曼的研究。该设备支持合成有机化学和无机化学、药物和结构生物化学、物理有机化学和核磁共振方法开发等领域的研究。核磁共振波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。该设备支持学生的教育、研究和教学努力，包括STEM中代表性不足的群体的本科生和第一代学生，以及多个部门和周围社区的各级学生。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五台核磁共振光谱仪的运行。该设备支持的核磁共振仪器使研究重点放在化学合成和方法学、药物化学和反应技术开发上。所支持的研究还涉及对富含地球的金属的催化氧化反应和可持续(照片)化学的发展和机理研究。此外，回收系统有助于支持侧重于使用有机金属催化的方法学开发和优化以及蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用抑制剂的开发的研究。其他研究领域包括开发新的核磁共振造影剂和单分子磁体，核磁共振方法的开发，以及使用固态核磁共振对昆虫翼膜进行表征。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, the Chemistry Research Instrumentation programs, and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research in response to the solicitation of proposals that promote the recovery, recycle, and/or reuse of helium, which was initiated by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. West Virginia University is acquiring a helium recovery system to capture and reliquefy helium from five NMR spectrometers to support the research of Professor Terry Gullion along with colleagues Gregory Dudley, Brian Popp, Jessica Hoover, and Carsten Milsmann. This equipment supports research in the areas of synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, medicinal and structural biochemistry, physical organic chemistry, and NMR methodology development. 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 of students, including undergraduates from groups underrepresented in STEM and first-generation students, at all levels in multiple departments and the surrounding community. 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 five NMR spectrometers. The NMR instrumentation supported by this equipment enables research projects focused on chemical synthesis and methodology, medicinal chemistry, and reaction technology development. The research supported also involves the development and mechanistic study of catalytic oxidation reactions and sustainable (photo)chemistry with earth-abundant metals. Additionally, the recovery system aids in supporting investigations focusing on the methodology development and optimization using organometallic catalysis and the development of protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Other research areas include the development of new MRI contrast agents and single molecule magnets, NMR methodology development, and the characterization of insect wing membranes using solid-state NMR.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.