NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Grant: $499,050 - National Science Foundation - Jul. 30, 2009
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Award Description: The Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University proposes to acquire a state-of-the-art cyber-enabled Bruker Biospin E-500-EleXsys X/Q-band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectrometer. This instrument would replace a quarter-century-old and largely outdated Bruker-IBM ER200D-SRC instrument that is now operational only about 70% of time and has not been supported by the manufacturer for many years. Intellectual merit. The new Bruker Biospin E-500-EleXsys X/Q band spectrometer will facilitate and enhance a broad range of ongoing research projects including: 1) structure-property relationships in transition metal complexes of biradical ligands; 2) investigation of conformations of biomolecules by advanced spin-labeling EPR methods; 3) developing new hybrid nanomaterials for membrane protein biochips; 4) synthesis of multifunctional hybrid structures with unique electronic properties and development of molecular-level strategies for elucidating the principles for the formation of low- and three-dimensional frameworks; 5) RAFT polymerization kinetic studies in applications for DNA biosensing; 6) understanding the mechanism of catalase-peroxidase (KatG) function and its unique model complexes containing unnatural amino acids; 7) development of dehaloperoxidase as a tool for bioremediation; 8) interaction of novel chiral polymers with biological membranes; 9) probing the magnetic and redox properties of metallotropic liquid crystals, with the highest known inorganic content, and investigating the impact of organic matter on the reduction of iron phosphates in soil systems. The cyber-enabled instrument would allow for remotely accessing and controlling the spectrometer. This cyber-enabled capability would increase researchers? productivity and expand the users? base. The scope of the described research projects involving EPR spectroscopy is exceptionally broad and will provide valuable data on molecular and electronic structure of molecules bearing unpaired electronic spins. EPR is the most direct and informative method to detect free radical species and can provide critical information on mechanisms of chemical reaction such as radical-mediated polymerization or biochemical reactions. EPR is a powerful tool for characterization of coordination complexes of paramagnetic ions (both biological and non-biological), magnetic and electronic materials, and, in combination with site-directed spin-labeling, has been proven to be highly informative in biophysical studies of protein and biological membranes. Access to a state-of-the-art EPR spectrometer is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier interdisciplinary research. Broader impact. A user-friendly modern cyber-enabled EPR instrument would provide a facility for training a diverse, competitive, and globally engaged workforce. The instrument will be used by a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate researchers on daily basis and will enrich training in a wide range of chemical disciplines. The spectrometer also will be integrated into teaching curriculum by adding a laboratory exercise to the exciting graduate/undergraduate level course. The proposed state-of-the-art spectrometer is expected to be a strong point for recruiting the best students into the NSF-sponsored Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) programs at NCSU. Remote access to the spectrometer via a secure Internet access would allow faculty and students from primarily undergraduate institutions to conduct EPR experiments at NCSU without traveling to Raleigh. Direct participation of undergraduate students in the research projects would expose them to state-of-the-art instrumentation and research and would motivate them to pursue scientific careers. All participants of this proposal commit a strong effort to attract and provide opportunities for advancement to graduate and undergraduate students from underrepresented groups. We propose to expand participation of und
Project Description: Different spectrometer options have been considered and the optimal configuration was selected.
Jobs Summary: No employees have been hired as of the report date (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jul. 30, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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