The Facility & Equipment
Our facility spans three locations, supporting a total of five NMR spectrometers and one EPR spectrometer
Main lab & manager’s office: Searle 340F (Two 500 and one 400 MHz NMR instruments)
Gordon Center Lab: GCIS E340 (One 500 and one 400 MHz NMR instruments)
EPR Lab: Jones 103. (One X-band EPR instrument)
Training
Facility staff provide training to operate the instruments, process data, and prepare samples. We hold two types of regular training: Level1 covers use of the autosampler-equipped spectrometers, and Level2 covers manual operation of the other spectrometers. Under COVID, all training is conducted one-one-one with the facility manager, and scheduling is arranged on an individual basis. Training for specific techniques (such as “variable temperature” operation) is available by arrangement with the facility manager.
Automated operation - Level1 training
“I put my samples in the robot so I can return to the bench while the spectrometer acquires high-quality routine data for me.”
Manual operation - Level2 training
“I walk up to the instrument and operate it manually to get a quick routine spectrum or two.”
Intensive operation - Level2 training, optional training
“I reserve instrument time for an extended period, then use it to manually run experiments that require extra attention and time. I may leave it to run unattended for several hours, perhaps at high or low temperature.”
NEWS
New T1 Analysis Manual, Video
A new manual and corresponding video are presented that show how to use Topspin 3 to process and analyze T1 relaxation measurement data to extract T1 values. The illustrations correspond to 1H data, but can be applied to normal pseudo-2D T1 data for other nuclei. This does NOT cover data acquisition – just analysis.
Upgrades to Topspin 4.4.1 from TS4.2.0
The Topspin software on 500-3 has been upgraded from version 4.2.0 to 4.4.1. This post illustrates notable changes, including automatic queuing, the new “apbk” autophase/baseline button, and new aspects of the interface. Expect 600-1 to be upgraded like this soon.
Using an Autosampler Manually
Very soon, all the instruments in the UChicago Chemistry NMR Facility will be equipped with autosamplers, including the manually-operated ones. Two questions may come to mind: How? Why?