Located within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Chemistry, the Research Instrumentation Facility (RIF) is part of the Molecular Analysis and Characterization Facility (MAC) and is equipped with instrumentation that can run a range of analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy. Its primary mission is to support research within the Department of Chemistry and the wider University of Nebraska system, but it is additionally available to support the analytical chemistry needs of other academic institutions, research laboratories, businesses, and individuals and can run samples and compile data or reports as necessary. RIF instrumentation includes:
NMR spectroscopy:
- Bruker Avance III-HD 700 MHz NMR Spectrometer with SampleJet sample changer and QCI-P cryoprobe. This NMR spectrometer is the highest magnetic field in the state of Nebraska. 1H, 13C, 15N, 31P and 2H NMR spectra can be observed. The 700 MHz is configured for small molecules, natural products, and labeled biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes, RNA, DNA, and carbohydrates. The 700 MHz NMR spectrometer has a SampleJet sample changer that will allow high throughput screening of 510 samples.
- Bruker NEO 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer with solid state and solution state probes, including a TCI-F cryoprobe. 1H, 13C, 15N, 19F and 2H NMR spectra on the cryoprobe can be observed. The solids probe allows a wide tuning range for observing heteroatoms. The 600 MHz is configured for small molecules, natural products, polymers, perovskites, and labeled biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes, RNA, DNA, and carbohydrates. The 600 MHz NMR spectrometer has a SampleCase sample changer that allows high throughput screening of 24 samples. The SampleCase sample is used for solution state NMR only but allows access to researchers with physical disabilities.
- Bruker Avance III-HD 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer with BB(F)O probe. The 400 MHz NMR spectrometer is walk-up access and is capable of running a wide range of NMR active nuclei.
- Bruker Avance III-HD 300 MHz NMR Spectrometer with SampleExpress sample changer and BB(F)O probe. The 300 MHz NMR spectrometer has a SampleExpress sample changer, which holds 60 samples. The 300 MHz NMR spectrometer is capable of running a wide range of NMR active nuclei.
Optical spectroscopy:
- Shimadzu UV-2401 ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrometer with a range of 190-700 nm and several sampling formats, which can be temperature controlled.
- Shimadzu UV-2501 ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrometer capable of specular measurement that has a range of 190-700 nm and has two sampling formats.
- Jasco 815 circular dichroism spectrometer, which has a range of 190-700 nm, can be temperature controlled, and is used to look at the folding structure of biomolecules.
- Shimadzu RF-5301PC fluorimeter, which has a range of 190-700 nm, two sampling formats, and is mainly used to measure fluorescence for materials science projects.
- Rudolph Autopol III polarimeter that measures the rotation of light in the presence of chiral molecules at 589 nm.
- Nicolet AVATAR 380 FT-IR with multiple attachments to observe the infrared spectrum from 4000-600 cm -1 and an Attenuated Reflectance attachment with a diamond crystal (ATR-IR, gas phase FT-IR, and older IR methods are available on this spectrophotometer).
- Thermo iS-50 for NIR, FT-IR, Raman, and TGA-IR with multiple attachments to observe mid-range infrared spectrum from 4000-400 cm -1 and an Attenuated Reflectance attachment with a diamond crystal (ATR-IR, gas phase FT-IR, and older IR methods are available on this spectrophotometer; Near Infrared (NIR) is also available).
- Leica optical microscope.
- Invitrogen iBright FL1500 Imaging System used for imaging gels and Western Blots.
Thermal analysis:
- TA Instruments Discovery 550 TGA with evolved gas furnace (part of the Thermo iS-50).
- Micromeritics ASAP 2020 BET to measure surface area and porosimetry.
Chromatography and other instruments:
- Carl Zeiss SEM-EDX scanning electron microscope with an X-ray detection system.
- Agilent 1100 HPLC with continuous wave detector and sample changer.
- Agilent 1260 HPLC with Diode Array and Refractive Index Detectors and sample changer used for size exclusion chromatography, as well as samples with multiple components.
- Agilent 7820 GC-FID with a flame ionization detector and sample changer.
- Gilson 215 Liquid Handler for automated sample preparation station.
Software:
- Chenomyx for screening and assigning metabolites.
- AssureNMR for aiding in metabolite assignment.
- Protein Dynamics for measuring protein folding properties and assignment.
