EMSL: NMR Spectrometer: 900 MHz (21.1 Tesla)

NMR Spectrometer: 900 MHz (21.1 Tesla)

The first-ever 900-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, located in EMSL's High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility, is a medium-bore system (63 mm) equipped with Varian Inova console. EMSL researchers use the spectrometer to determine the structure of proteins and protein complexes and perform solid state NMR experiments on low gamma nuclei that are difficult to study at lower magnetic fields.

The spectrometer has 4 radio frequency channels and is equipped with 5-mm triple-axis-gradient HCN probes for liquids, a 5-mm HX low gamma probe, a 5-mm HZnN triple resonance probe, a 3.2-mm HX magic angle spinning (MAS) low gamma probe, and a 3.2-mm HXY MAS probe. We are also developing a solid-state MAS probe to study catalysts up to 400°C. The solid-state probes enable users to study biological solids that require the use of the highest field, including the typical nuclei—proton, carbon, and nitrogen—found in bio-solids, as well as materials that contaminate nuclear waste sites and the structures and properties of fuel cells. They are also useful for probing the structure and active sites of catalysts and other solid materials. One probe allows the user to obtain data from protein structures relative to solid surfaces to determine the configuration they take in cell membranes.

Researchers may operate this system independently and are typically provided several days of training if necessary, collaborative work with staff scientists may be possible and is encouraged. Some users opt to operate the system remotely; in such cases, the user ships samples to the High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility, where a facility researcher places the sample in the magnet and tunes the probe. The user can then operate the spectrometer through a secure connection over the Internet.

The spectrometer is used to study complex materials such as eukaryotic model organisms, metallo-proteins, multi-protein complexes of the breast cancer gene BRCA1, Human High Mobility Group A proteins, membrane proteins from mycobacterium tuberculosis; solid-state materials development important environmental fate and transport control, for reducing airborne emissions and candidates for fuel cell technology. Examples of recent research conducted by external users using this spectrometer include the following:

Researchers from the University of Washington and EMSL used the spectrometer to gain a more complete picture of the role of several molecular components involved in cancer including the breast and ovarian cancer tumor suppressor protein, BRCA1, and another project focuses on human telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein. Acquiring a complete understanding of the protein role requires a detailed understanding of both the function and structure of the protein and its interacting partners, and furthers our understanding of the deleterious structural and functional consequences of known cancer pre-disposing mutations.
Researchers from Penn State University and EMSL used the spectrometer to study the binding sites of strontium nuclei in clays, zeolites, and proposed waste remediation technologies. The results of these studies contribute to the design of appropriate remediation methods for treating the waste itself as well as exposed soil systems at Hanford and other DOE facilities.
Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley and EMSL used the spectrometer to study the structure of vanadium and zirconium containing catalysts by looking at the aluminum, silicon and oxygen in the catalyst as well as studying the vanadium directly. These results have increased the understanding of the structure present in these catalysts and help designed new catalysts.
Researchers from the State University of New York at Stony Brook are studying the structure of novel components of fuel cells using the 900-MHz NMR. By looking at a variety of nuclei, including ¹⁷O, ²⁵Mg, and ²⁷Al, they are getting a better understanding of the structure of the materials used in solid oxide fuel cells, which will improve their performance.