Research Infrastructure: Mid-scale RI-1 (M1:IP):National Facility for Ultra-High Sensitivity Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research

This award funds the implementation of an Ultra-High Sensitivity Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) capability at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) in Tallahassee, Florida. This infrastructure will provide previously inaccessible capabilities for understanding the structure and dynamics of matter at the atomic scale. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a powerful quantum sensing technique used across biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and materials science that provides precise information about the atoms present in materials. Its performance improves at high magnetic fields, but many important samples require prohibitively long experiment times. Two recent advances have improved the sensitivity of NMR and reduced the time needed for these experiments: (1) magic-angle spinning (MAS) cryoprobes, which can save up to a factor of 16 in measurement times at ambient temperature, and (2) dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), which can accelerate measurements by up to four orders of magnitude at low temperature. By providing open access to these high-sensitivity tools, the project will drive breakthroughs in many areas of science with practical benefits for society. The Ultra-High Sensitivity NMR (UHS-NMR) will serve hundreds of researchers annually nation-wide while offering hands-on training for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scientists, strengthening the U.S. scientific workforce and its global competitiveness. The project will advance National Science Foundation (NSF) priorities in biotechnology, advanced materials and manufacturing, and quantum information science. The 1.0 GHz solid-state NMR spectrometer, a 658 GHz gyrotron for DNP, and MAS cryoprobes will form a first-of-its-kind, ultra-high-sensitivity platform, strengthening U.S. capability. Research will focus on investigating the structure and dynamics of biological solids, including membrane protein complexes, amyloid fibrils, and protein assemblies. Additionally, the instrument will support a wide range of projects across many areas of science, including chemistry and material science, with applications involving organic, inorganic, and hybrid materials. Another focus of the project is technology and methodology development, new DNP biradical polarizing agents that transfer electron spin polarization to NMR-active nuclei, quasi-optical microwave hardware, and broadband pulse sequences for unreceptive and quadrupolar nuclei. Building on NHMFL's internationally recognized facilities, this new instrument will be integrated into its User Program with anticipated user access in 2029. Over a projected 20+ year operational lifetime, the UHS-NMR will serve thousands of researchers from across the country and abroad in private-sector companies and provide hands-on training for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scientists, strengthening the U.S. scientific workforce and its competitiveness in advanced instrumentation and materials characterization. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.