Upgrade of LSU solid state NMR capabilities

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Louisiana State University will upgrade a 400 MHz solid-state NMR Spectrometer. This equipment will enable researchers to carry out research in a number of areas: a) molecular interactions of pesticides, toxics with soil; b) characterization of novel polymer materials; c) characterization of organic sorbents in sediments; and d) studies on the structure of fibrils formed by protein self-assembly. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. 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. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies will have an impact in environmental and materials chemistry and biotechnology.