Contract for the Supply and Installation of a 1.2 GHz NMR Spectrometer to the University of Birmingham

Concepts

• birmingham
• spectrometers
• ghz nmr spectrometer
• physical sciences nmr community
• biomolecular nmr spectroscopy
• university of birmingham
• spectrometer
• ghz
• nmr
• hwb-nmr

Location

Birmingham:

Description

The University of Birmingham has been awarded UKRI funds as part of an EPSRC-led UK-wide NMR Infrastructure call to purchase an ultra-high field 1.2 GHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for the Henry Wellcome Building for Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy (HWB-NMR) and for the greater benefit of the UK life and physical sciences NMR community. Currently the highest magnetic field available for NMR, this state-of-the-art equipment will allow local PIs, collaborators and external users to remain at the forefront of international research, in terms of scientific applications, methodological development and the recruitment and training of graduate students and young researchers, fulfilling UKRI's overarching strategy to support excellence in UK science. This additional ultra-high field capability will provide a unique enabling technology, supporting a wide range of science with far-reaching impact. It is anticipated that the 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer will transform our scientific understanding in three key areas: (1) the spatial and temporal resolution of biological mechanisms; (2) the structure and function of materials at the atomic level; (3) the impact of environmental and chemical agents on live cells and organisms. In all three fields, the gains brought by the 1.2 GHz spectrometer will translate into new and otherwise unreachable discoveries that will benefit human wellbeing. In health and the biological sciences, a better understanding of biological mechanisms will help define novel therapeutic strategies in contexts such as infection, cancer, neuropathologies and aging. In the physical sciences, improved characterization of solid-state structures and properties will accelerate the development of new materials (e.g. for energy storage, electronic devices and drug formulations), as well as the design of industrial strategies for green chemistry. In environmental science, deeper insights into the effects of chemicals and pollutants on plant and microbial functions will facilitate design of effective routes of prevention and intervention. The equipment to be procured comprises a superconducting magnet operating at 1.2 GHz magnetic field, a spectrometer console capable of transmitting and receiving radiofrequencies of > 1.2 GHz, one associated cryogenically-cooled probe for measurement of solution-state samples in 3 mm tubes and a solid-state 1.9 mm probe for material science.

Total Quantity or Scope

(1) the spatial and temporal resolution of biological mechanisms; (2) the structure and function of materials at the atomic level; (3) the impact of environmental and chemical agents on live cells and organisms.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 38433000 - Spectrometers

Legal Justification

The UKRI funds are awarded to the University of Birmingham for the purchase of a 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer and a few peripheral accessories. The total cost of this purchase, which relates to the main instrument and some of the accessories, is £10,003,258.20. The 1.2 GHz magnet and spectrometer awarded to Birmingham (one of two 1.2 GHz systems funded) can only be supplied by one manufacturer in the world (Bruker). The same is true for the associated cryogenically-cooled probe operating at 1.2 GHz. Thus, we have negotiated with Bruker a package comprising of magnet, spectrometer, the cryogenically-cooled probe and the solid-state probe for material science. Both the cryogenically-cooled probe and the solid-state probe for material science are provided to us on loan and thus are part of the package but not of the purchase. EPSRC is aware that the instrument can only be supplied by one manufacturer.

Other Information

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