Proposal

Name:

Computerized Spectroscopic Technologies to Enhance Student Education and Training in Chemistry

FiscalYear:

2014

Audience:

Science, College of

Submitter:

Rezler, Evonne

Budget Manager:

Blanchard, Dominique

Project Manager:

Rezler, Evonne M.

Proposal Approvers

Dept. Chair:

Haky, Jerome E

Local IT:

Paredes, Jaime A.

Dean:

Ivy, Russell L.

Facilities:

N/A

OIT:

Campbell, Glen R.

Proposal Funding

Year 1:

$ 162,940.00

Year 2:

$ 0.00

Year 3:

$ 0.00

Total:

$ 162,940.00

Proposal Funding versus Average

Questionnaire

Narrative
? In this proposal faculty from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are requesting funds for the purchase of two state-of-the-art computer-interfaced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, and accompanying perpetual NMR Spinflow, and Mestrelab MNova NMR interpretive and imaging software (see the quote for these technologies in the Supporting Documents section of this Technology Fee proposal). These new NMR hardware and software technologies will be integrated into the existing departmental teaching computer and technology network (initiated and established using funds from two previous FAU Tech Fee grants in 2012 and 2013).Specifically, the two NMR systems will be located in the Organic Chemistry Laboratories at FAU (PS 239 and 240)Recent advances in NMR hardware and software technological development and design have resulted in the commercial availability of very compact computerized NMR technologies that we are proposing to purchase as part of this proposal. These new NMR technologies will offer many advantages and benefits to our students including:

            1)  providing research quality data to our students,

            2)  easily fitting on top of a normal bench top in our teaching labs,

            3)  simple to operate by any student with minimal training and instruction, and       

            4)  having very minimal (virtually non-existent) maintenance costs and requirements.


FAU currently does NOT have such compact, easy to use and low cost NMR systems that can provide research quality data to our students! In fact, the NMR technologies that FAU currently has on site are very complicated to use, take up half a medium-sized room, require intensive and on-going maintenance at high cost and thus are not accessible to the vast majority of the undergraduate student population. This proposal aims to change this situation and enable as many as possible undergraduate students to have access and experience in using this very important technology.


            Acquiring and implementing these new NMR hardware and software technologies will further enhance the training, skills and marketability of all majors taking courses in the chemistry and biochemistry curriculum. These students who complete the Organic Chemistry II Lab course (CHML 2211) will immensely gain from the experience of frequently (and routinely!) using these innovative technologies. The student population in the Organic Chemistry II Lab course includes pre-med, biology, neuroscience, as well as chemistry and biochemistry majors. Additionally, all Directed Independent Study (DIS) undergraduate student researchers in any Department in any program in the entire University will be able to use the NMR technologies for their research projects.  The estimated yearly total of undergraduate students who will be positively affected with respect to their learning and research experiences at FAU by these new NMR technologies will be ~750+.


            In addition to enhancing industrial and academically relevant spectroscopy skills of all students who take the Organic Chemistry II Lab course at FAU, the proposed inclusion of NMR technologies will enable FAU to maintain an American Chemical Society (ACS)-certified undergraduate program in Chemistry. The ACS accredits thousands of colleges in the United Sates through its Committee on Professional Training (CPT). The ACS-CPT determines the guidelines and regulations for approval of “ACS-certified” B.S. programs in Chemistry. The ACS-CPT reviews existing programs every five-six years for recertification pending full compliance with its published guidelines and regulations. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at FAU currently has an accredited program which will undergo its next ACS-CPT review to maintain certification in ~2017. In Fall 2013 ACS-CPT published updated and revised guidelines and regulations for instrumentation requirements in ACS-certified programs which state that approved programs must have “…a functioning NMR spectrometer that undergraduates use in instruction and research.” (page 3 of ACS CPT Newsletter Fall 2013) Thus, acquiring the NMR technologies described above is paramount for us to maintain accreditation.


            As a result of previous Tech Fee funding students in the Organic Chemistry II Lab  course and other lab courses in the Chemistry curriculum gain excellent hands-on experience and understanding of the application of infrared (IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic technologies. Students apply these technologies  to analyze samples and solve real-world research problems. They will also undergo practical training in applying NMR analysis to molecules in different frequency ranges and matrices from those used in either IR and UV-Vis analysis.


            In synergy with the Department’s teaching and technology network, the new NMR technologies will give our graduates a crucial competitive advantage for employment opportunities in South Florida research institutes such as Scripps and Max Planck, as well as for academic and industrial opportunities nationally and internationally.  

Facilities
None required.
Hardware Requirements
Hardware (and software): 2 x Pulsar HC60 benchtop NMR spectrometers

Two computerized Pulsar HC 60 benchtop NMR networked spectrometers for proton and carbon-13 NMR sample analysis. Both equipped with perpetual Oxford NMR Spinflow, and Mestrelab MNova NMR interpretive and imaging software. Gratis inclusion: two additional Mestrelab MNova NMR interpretive and imaging software licenses and remote workstations.


Quote details: Quoted on 11/10/2014, quote prepared by Marty Marek, Oxford Instruments Benchtop NMR System, marty.marek@oxinst.com, 773 294 4205. A university allowance or discount (10 %) is included.


Hardware & Software subtotal = $160,740. (note this quote does not itemize hardware versus software costs)
Software Requirements
Software (and hardware): perpetual Oxford NMR Spinflow, and Mestrelab MNova NMR interpretive and imaging software

Two computer workstations (part of each benchtop NMR system) with perpetual Oxford NMR Spinflow, and Mestrelab MNova NMR interpretive and imaging software. Gratis inclusion: two additional Mestrelab MNova NMR interpretive and imaging software licenses and remote computer workstations.


Quote details: Quoted on 11/10/2014, quote prepared by Marty Marek, Oxford Instruments Benchtop NMR System, marty.marek@oxinst.com, 773 294 4205.A university allowance or discount (10 %) is included.


Hardware & Software subtotal = $160,740. (note this quote does not itemize hardware versus software costs)


Personnel Costs
None required.

Other Costs
Transportation (and installation) costs = $2,200.
Timeline
In the event of this proposal being funded the installation of NMR software and hardware will be completed by Oxford Instruments representative and Dr. Evonne Rezler (Director of the Organic Laboratories), immediately after its delivery. Minimal assistance from Information Technology (IT) staff in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (CESCoS) will be required.

 

Oxford Instruments quotes a delivery time of twelve weeks. Hence, installation will likely take place at the end of Spring 2015 or start of Summer 2015 semesters.

Sustainability
Dr. Evonne Rezler will train all Organic Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistants (TAs)  in NMR hardware and software operation. Main usage of NMR technologies will be by all students in the Organic Chemistry II Lab course at FAU. In addition, Dr. Rezler and Ms. Cynthia Marks, Course Administrator (CA) for the Organic Chemistry II Lab course, will be in charge of coordinating usage of the NMR technologies by undergraduate student researchers (DIS students) at FAU.

Also, the NMR systems require virtually no additional maintenance. 

Resource Matching
Additional analytical technologies previously purchased from other funds will be utilized as complementary training methods for our students. These include an Horiba XPLora Raman microscope (purchased for ~ $115,000 through a National Science Foundation grant in 2013), and a Perkin-Elmer STA-6000 Thermo Analyzer (purchased for ~$45,000 from Departmental funds).

Implementing Organization
The Chemistry Department will implement project in collaboration with minimal assistance Information Technology (IT) staff from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (CESCoS).

Proposal Budget

Fiscal Year 1 Fiscal Year 2 Fiscal Year 3 Total
Hardware One-Time $ 160,740.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 160,740.00
Hardware Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software One-time $ 2,200.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 2,200.00
Software Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Totals $ 162,940.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 162,940.00

Supporting Documentation

Filename Size Description
floridaatlantic-nov2014.pdf 3,465,073b