Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Resource (NMR‑3)

NMR Service

Sample Submission Form (Solids)
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Sample Submission Form (Liquids)
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All samples submitted for service must be accompanied by a completed submission form.

The majority of users of the NMR3 facility receive training and use the spectrometers independently.  However, facility personnel also provide an extensive range of NMR services to scientists at Dalhousie, other universities, as well as to government and industry.  The service is reliable, fast and available for both solid/powder and liquid samples.  Many routine 1D and nD experiments are available on all of our spectrometers and involve a wide range of potential nuclei.  Non-routine experiments are also performed and often lead to collaborations with NMR3 staff.

NMR Service Protocol: Liquid Samples

  • The service is provided by Dr. Lumsden; please feel free to contact him in advance to discuss your research and the nature of the problem(s) you wish to address.
  • All samples must be accompanied by a properly filled out sample submission form. No exceptions.
  • Please refer to the High-Resolution NMR Fees (pdf) document for details on fees.
  • Samples can either be couriered, mailed or delivered in person. For the first two options, address the shipment directly to Dr. Mike Lumsden using the address available here. Advanced notification of the shipment will ensure the fastest possible turnaround times.
  • For samples already prepared in NMR tubes, note that you must use high-quality 5 mm NMR tubes (available through Chemistry Stores) which must be clearly labelled. A minimum of 600 ul (4 cm) of deuterated solvent is required. Undissolved material must be filtered from the sample. The final concentration should be ~ 1 mM at minimum.
  • For an additional fee, you can have your NMR sample(s) prepared for you. In this case, please send samples in flat bottomed sample vials. When sending solids or neat liquids for analysis, please ensure you have determined a suitable deuterated solvent for your material before shipment and that this is clearly marked on the submission form. 
  • To avoid solvent charges, you may choose to add your own deuterated solvent to the sample vial. If so, please remember that your sample must be completely dissolved in a minimum of 600 ul solvent or additional charges will apply. Note that you may also choose to send your deuterated solvent in a separate container for use with your samples.
  • Requested NMR experiments are performed on the AV-500 at 300 K using the autosampler by default.  Turnaround times for routine requests are typically no more than 48 hours.
  • Researchers can request to be present during the NMR service; however in this case the precise timing must be coordinated in advance via email.
  • Researchers retrieve raw data for processing via ftp using our data server. For an additional fee, you can opt to have your data processed for you. In that case, data is sent via email (as pdf).
  • Samples will be held for at least a week in case additional NMR experiments are required. After that, samples will be disposed of unless alternative arrangements are made in advance to retrieve them.

NMR Service Protocol: Solid Samples

  • The service is provided by Dr. Ulrike Werner-Zwanziger; please contact her in advance to discuss your research and the nature of the problem(s) you wish to address. Your research project will govern which spectrometer and probe heads will be used.
  • Samples for study can either be couriered, mailed or hand delivered to the facility. If you plan to send them, please address them directly to Dr. Ulrike Werner-Zwanziger at the location given below.
  • Dr. Ulrike Werner-Zwanziger will inform you about the time frame you can expect your experiments to be performed.
  • All samples must be accompanied by a properly filled out sample submission form.
  • Please refer to the Solid State NMR Fees (pdf) for details on fees.
  • Researchers will receive pdf (or ps) files of their final spectra. Typically, if you send a range of samples, you will receive
    • one or more comparison plots between your samples,
    • one or more spectra showing the used experimental paramters, peaks (and integrals, where applicable) per sample,
    • one or more spectra comparing MAS rotation speeds per sample.
  • Samples will be held for at least a week in case additional NMR experiments are required. After that, samples will be disposed of unless alternative arrangements are made in advance on the solid state sample NMR submission form.