NMR

NMR

Owner/Loaner	Pending
Make/Model	Varian EM-360A
Arrival Date	11/4/21
Usability	Yes
Contact	Pending
Where	1st Floor. Corner of lounge.
Authorization Needed	yes
Hackable	No
Estimated Value	$-999.00
Host Area	Science

Er, what?

Yes. There are many, many types of spectroscopy. This ones involves magnets and radio frequencies, and can (potentially) tell you things about a liquid which is placed into a thin/tall glass tube. The principle under which it operates is the same as an MRI scanner, however, rather than making pictures, it makes squiggly lines. It is not a Gas Chromatograph, nor a Mass Spec, as a few have called it...

But Why?

• Because makerspace.
• Because when life calls and lets you know you can have a 600lb magnet, naturally, you say yes.
• Naturally one could argue this is highly specialized and potentially not relevant. So, really, why?
  • Well, it's an experiment. It might serve as a hands-on, gentle introduction to spectroscopy, science, analytical instrumentation, etc. We're pretty sure no makerspace in the world has put one of these inside of it, but given the right community and encouragement around it, maybe something interesting could happen.
  • Activities, applications, and maybe some classes are pending.

Getting Involved / Authorization

Do you know things about NMR or want to learn? Have interesting ideas on what we could use this for? Lets talk... We're still working out details on things like supplies (NMR tubes) and usage, however, the equipment is online, functional, and remotely accessible if you like.

Tech Specs

• 60MHz / 1.4 Tesla
• Has both a H-1 (Proton) and Carbon-13 Probe.

Safety

There are no safety risks to the user with the machine itself. While the machine does use a relatively strong (1.4 Tesla Permanent Magnet), it is deep inside, very well shielded, and ultimately even the strongest of permanent magnets are still just magnets. There are superconducting, helium-cooled, electromagnet NMRs out there which deserve some serious respect, however, what we have is just a regular permanent magnet. It is tame, and best of all, maintenance free! Nevertheless, if you prefer notoriety, you can decorate the beige box with "Danger" stickers regarding pacemakers, credit cards, hip implants, etc. It will undoubtedly be the most decorated NMR on the planet as a result. Beige box could use some flare...

Since samples are loaded into thin glass tubes, the usual common sense in terms of handling glass is important. If you manage the epic failure of somehow shattering a tube inside of the instrument, well, it probably amounts to an interesting opportunity in terms of disassembly of a probe and so it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Heck, we might all learn something cool...

Improper operation of the NMR cannot damage the instrument, with the only real risk being poor or no spectra.

The instrument thus strikes a fairly wonderful balance of being pretty approachable.

Status

Full turnup and test complete with H1 and C13 probes functional. Celebrations were had by drinking beer with the machine (beige box partaking as well), and relative quantification of ethanol vs water were undertaken with wobbly, but within an order-of-magnitude results. Further adventures planned...

Operation

The software has two parts:

• PNMR: Used to run the hardware, acquire spectra.
• NUTS: Used to process/look at spectra. There are alternatives to NUTS.

Hardware

Sample gauge: There is a small hole on top of the unit toward the front.

PNMR

While there is a graphical display of spectra, this is actually a command line tool. Common commands:

GS
ZG