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KSC Receives Grant for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer

A NMR spectrum is like a molecular fingerprint, and holds clues to atomic connectivity
A NMR spectrum is like a molecular fingerprint, and holds clues to atomic connectivity

Thanks to a $263,700 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation program Keene State chemistry students and researchers will soon have much richer and more effective opportunities for molecular analysis. The grant will allow the College to buy a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer.

“The NMR instrument helps a chemist verify or determine molecular structures,” explained Paul Baures, professor of chemistry. “This is a consequence of particular atoms in compounds being influenced in a defined way by the magnetic field. Since we can’t see molecules, such information is the way a chemist will validate what they think is the makeup of a compound. NMR is a real workhorse for scientists who make molecules, and it is a requirement for publishing research that the data from this type of instrument be used to support the conclusions of the paper.”

The NMR spectrometer will not only be of great value to Keene State’s science program, it will also be used by other are colleges and universities and by local industry, including Markem-Imaj.

“Many faculty use NMR to support their teaching and research,” Dr. Baures continued. “I expect we will use it heavily in teaching organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and in our independent research projects with students. The projects vary from medicinal chemistry to polymer chemistry to organic chemistry to analytical chemistry–well, you get the picture, just about everyone will benefit from this acquisition!”

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Keene, New Hampshire 03435