Acquisition of an oil-free air compressor for support of solid-state NMR spectrometers

Funds are requested to purchase an oil-free, high pressure air compressor to supply solid-state NMR spectrometers in the Dalhousie University Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Resource. Solid-state NMR experiments require both high speed sample spinning, and sample cooling, in order to obtain useful data. Both spinning and cooling are accomplished with a supply of high pressure, very clean and very dry air. The current compressor in the facility is obsolete and wearing out quickly; considerable time, effort, and money have already been spent patching it together. Without a compressor, the solid-state NMR spectrometers are essentially useless. These spectrometers provide data for a wide variety of labs at Dalhousie and the region, both academic and industrial. Three are highlighted in this proposal. Josef Zwanziger is studying optical glass for use in high performance instrumentation and fiber optic communication. The glass structure, an essential part of the research, is determined largely by solid-state NMR. Daniel Boyd is developing bioactive glasses for use in cancer treatments; again, solid-state NMR is an essential characterization technique. Finally, Jan Rainey is studying and optimizing spider silk, a natural material with amazing mechanical properties. His work as well is completely dependent on NMR data. Without an air compressor, the solid-state NMR spectrometers will have to be closed down and these highly successful research programs, and many others in the region, will be blocked.