Undergraduate Instrumentation Center Instruments

The Bruker Avance III-HD 700 MHz spectrometer features a quadrupole resonance QCI-P cryoprobe (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ³¹P with ²H lock and decoupling) and a SampleJet automated sample changer.

This spectrometer, installed in December 2013, greatly increases sensitivity for metabolomics research and supports fundamental studies in such broad areas as chemical synthesis, molecular evolution, signaling pathways, metabolism and other cellular processes.

The 700 MHz Avance III-HD NMR runs Topspin 3.6.2, which allows for non-uniform data sampling (NUS) with improvements in sensitivity in 2D and 3D data sets. NUS dramatically decreases experimental time for multidimensional NMR experiments. A complete set of standard triple-resonance NMR experiments used to assign a protein structure that would normally require weeks of dedicated NMR instrument time is reduced to a single day with the new instrument. NOAH experiments are also available for faster acquisition of data.

The SampleJet automated sample changer can accommodate over 500 NMR samples for HTS (high throughput screening). Additionally, an internal NMR thermometer that directly and continuously measures the actual sample temperature in real time is available.

Location: 836 Hamilton Hall

References:

• Poudel, R., Bhinderwala, F., Morton, M., Powers, R., Rose, D. J. “Metabolic profiling of historical and modern wheat cultivars using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy” Scientific Reports, 2021, 11, 3080
• Lingjun, Y., Du, F., Chen, X., Zheng, Y., Morton, M., Liu, F., Du, L. “Identification of the Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for the anti-{MRSA} Lysocins through Gene Cluster Activation Using Strong Promoters of Housekeeping Genes and Production of New Analogs in Lysobacter sp. 3655.” Synthetic Biology, 2020, 9(8), 1989-1997, DOI 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00067.
• Bhinderwala, F., Evans, P., Jones, K., Laws, B.R., Smith, T.G., Morton, M., Power, R., ”Phosphorus NMR and Its Application to Metabolomics,” Analytical Chemistry, 2020, DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00591.

The 600 MHz NMR system was upgraded to a new Bruker NEO console with a 5 mm triple resonance TCI-H/F cryoprobe and a 3.2 mm solid state H/X probe (September 2020). The addition of this cryoprobe (¹H/¹⁹F, ¹³C, ¹⁵N with ²H lock and decoupling) greatly increases the sensitivity of this system, giving it sensitivity comparable to that of the 700 MHz NMR system.

The 24-place SampleCase can be cooled to accommodate automated analysis of temperature sensitive samples. In addition, the SampleCase can be used with practically any tube that will fit into a spinner—no special caps required. It works with Shigemi tubes, too!

This instrument also has a 3.2 mm H/X Solid State NMR probe to serve the solid-state needs of users.

Location: 32 Hamilton Hall

References:

• Patel, S.M., Smith, T.G., Morton, M, Stiers, K.M., Seravalli, J., Mayclin, S.J., Edwards, T.E., Tanner, J.J., Becker, D.F. “Cautionary Tale of Using Tris(alkyl)phosphine Reducing Agents with NAD+-Dependent Enzymes.” Biochemistry, 2020,.59(36), 3285-3289, DOI 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00490. PubMed PMID: 32841567.

The 400 MHz NMR is our most active walk-up system meeting the sample analysis needs of many of the synthetic organic research groups. The console was replaced in December 2012. It has a BBOF probe with an ATM (automated Tuning and Matching Accessory). This upgrade automated many routine commands and makes acquiring 2D and variable temperature NMR easy.

Location: 836 Hamilton Hall

References:

Chakrabarty, S. Palencia, H., Morton, M. D., Carr, R. O., Takacs*, J. M. “Facile access to functionalized chiral secondary benzylic boronic esters via catalytic asymmetric hydroboration,” Chemical Science, 2019, 10:18, 4854-4861, DOI 10.1039/c8sc05613g

The 300 MHz NMR is a walk-up system meeting the sample analysis needs of many of the undergraduates and synthetic organic research groups. The console was replaced in May 2014. It has a BBOF probe with an ATM (automated Tuning and Matching Accessory). This makes acquiring 2D and variable temperature NMR easy. The system has a SampleExpress sample changer with 60 places. Undergrads can submit samples to the sample changer for NMR data for many undergraduate laboratory classes. Other users can use ICONNMR to automate acquisition. The instrument is jointly shared between the Research Instrumentation Facility and the UIC. Reservations for the system can be made online.

Location: 313 Hamilton Hall

References:

Haghshenas, H., Kim, Y.-R.. Morton, M., Smith, T., Khedmati, M., Haghshenas, D., “Effects of Softening Additives on the Moisture Susceptibility of Recycled Bituminous Materials Using Chemical-Mechanical-Imaging Methods”, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2018, 30(9), 04018207.

This single-quadrupole GC-MS system has a mass range from 1-1100 amu and can be operated with electron or chemical ionization (methane reagent gas). The system is equipped with a 105-place liquids autosampler. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers with a manual fiber holder are available for use. An electron ionization NIST library is available. The most commonly installed column is a DB-5; however, many other columns are available for use. This low-resolution GC-MS is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

This gas chromatography system has a 50-vial liquids autosampler, a split/splitless injector, and a flame ionization detector. Many columns are available. This instrument is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

This Shimadzu UV-2401PC is a double-beam instrument with a wavelength range of 190-900 nm, selectable bandwidth of 0.1-5 nm, and variable scan speeds. This UV-Vis has three operating modes: spectrum, kinetic, and photometric. This UV-Vis has two lamps (deuterium and tungsten)—the changeover wavelength can be changed in the software. Attachments include a 12-cell holder with temperature control for standard 1x1 cm cuvettes, a 16-microcell holder with temperature control (5 – 65 °C, each well holds ~70-100 uL), and a standard 2-cuvette holder with temperature control (5 – 65 °C). This instrument is in 836A Hamilton Hall.

This Shimadzu UV-2501PC is a double-beam instrument with a wavelength range of 190-900 nm, selectable bandwidth of 0.1-5 nm, and variable scan speeds. This UV-Vis has three operating modes: spectrum, kinetic, and photometric. This UV-Vis has two lamps (deuterium and tungsten)—the changeover wavelength can be changed in the software. Attachments include a 12-cell holder with temperature control for standard 1x1 cm cuvettes, a 16-microcell holder with temperature control (5 – 65 °C, each well holds ~70-100 uL), and a standard 2-cuvette holder with temperature control (5 – 65 °C). This instrument is in 836A Hamilton Hall.

This diode array spectrophotometer can gather an entire spectrum from 190 to 820 nm in as little as 0.1 seconds. This diode array can also do kinetics. This instrument only has a deuterium lamp. This instrument is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

The Shimadzu Fluorimeter is a basic fluorescence instrument capable excitation, emission, and 3D scans from 220-900 nm. It has a wavelength accuracy of 1.5 nm, selectable bandwidth (1.5, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 nm) for both excitation and emission, and variable scan speeds. It can also be used for kinetics experiments. The normal sample configuration is a 1 cm x 1 cm cuvette. A solid-state sample holder was added when this instrument was upgraded in 2017. Fluorescence measurements of dyes and nanoparticles are included in the undergraduate curriculum. This instrument is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

This high-performance spectrofluorometer is capable of excitation, emission, and 3D scans. Kinetics can be measured, too. The instrument’s R928P detector has a spectral coverage of 200-870 nm. Bandpass is continuously adjustable from 0 to 30 nm. It has a wavelength accuracy of 0.5 nm. This fluorometer is more sensitive than the Shimadzu RF-5301PC. This instrument is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

This versatile plate reader with monochromator-based optics can accommodate practically any plate, from 6 to 384 wells. It can measure UV-Vis absorbance, top and bottom fluorescence, and luminescence. It has built in temperature control from 0.2 to 45°C and also has a plate shaker. This instrument is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

This instrument measures the differential absorption of left- and right-hand components of circularly polarized light. Most often CD data is collected on biomolecules including proteins, RNA and DNA that show native and denatured states. The instrument can operate at a range of temperatures from (5 – 95°C). This instrument is in 836A Hamilton Hall.

This instrument measures the optical rotation of chiral molecules in solution. It can measure rotation through +/-89° with a resolution of 0.001°. This instrument is in 836 Hamilton Hall.

The Thermo iS50 FT-IR was installed in the spring of 2017. It is a modular optical bench with several sampling accessories/modes and detectors, including a liquid nitrogen cooled MCT detector. Built-in sampling accessories include a diamond ATR, a Near-infrared (NIR) integrating sphere, and a NIR sampling wand (SabIR). Other accessories include FT-Raman with a 1064 nm laser, a germanium ATR, an automated VeeMAX III spectral reflectance accessory with an automated precision polarizer, and a heated thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-IR) gas cell. Of course, transmission IR is also available. This instrument is in 33 Hamilton.

References:

Haghshenas, H, Kim,Y.-R, Kommidi,S., Nguyen, D., Haghshenas, D., Morton, M. D. “Evaluation of long-term effects of rejuvenation on reclaimed binder properties based on chemical-rheological tests and analyses”, Mater. Struct.,2018, 51, 154.

Haghshenas, H., Kim, Y.-R.. Morton, M., Smith, T., Khedmati, M., Haghshenas, D., “Effects of Softening Additives on the Moisture Susceptibility of Recycled Bituminous Materials Using Chemical-Mechanical-Imaging Methods”, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2018, 30(9), 04018207.

This is an infrared spectrometer with a probe that can go into a reaction vessel. It records infrared spectra (2500 to 650 wavenumbers) as a function of time. It was purchased in March 2012. This instrument is on a cart, and it can be moved to your lab. It is stored in 836 Hamilton Hall.

This Flame Atomic Absorbance spectrophotometer is used to quantify metals in solution. Lamps for 28 elements are available. This instrument is in 313 Hamilton Hall.

This scanning electron microscope is equipped with a tungsten filament source, multiple detectors, and an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy system. Detectors include secondary electron, backscatter, and variable-pressure secondary electron. This system has a variable-pressure mode that can be used to limit charging of low-conductivity samples. The EDX system can gather spectra and perform elemental mapping. This instrument is in 33 Hamilton Hall.