We have created this information page on the website to bring together all the relevant information and files you need as a user of the NMR Facility at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.
Download a copy of our Users Guide to the NMR Facility below:
- NMR Facility Users Guide October 2022 (PDF format - can be printed double-sided to make a handy A4 sheet)
Download our latest NMR Facility specific Risk Assessment below:
- NMR Facility Risk Assessment (PDF format - must be printed, signed and dated, then returned to nmr@ch.cam.ac.uk as a PDF preferably - scan or photograph and convert, or use tools in PDF reader to add signature, name and date)
Note that until users return this risk assessment, Mifare access or the ability to book our rooms on Clustermarket will not be given.
The following forms should be downloaded to your PC/Laptop for use when submitting samples or ordering NMR Consumables:
- Submission Form V4.0 PowerPoint (Use this as your template if you fill all your information in on the computer first)
- Submission Form V4.0 PDF (Print this if you fill in your information by hand then scan/photograph and send by email)
- Consumables Requisition Form V2.0 PowerPoint (Use this as your template if you fill all your information in on the computer first)
- Consumables Requisition Form V2.0 PDF (Print this if you fill in your information by hand then scan/photograph and send by email)
Please use our dedicated email addresses: nmr-submission@ch.cam.ac.uk and nmr-consumables@ch.cam.ac.uk
We will no longer accept paper copies of the forms, please do not bring these to the NMR Facility as they are a waste of paper.
Google Chrome Remote Desktop
We have been using the Remote Desktop application to log in remotely and take control of our NMR Facility PC's and spectrometers. We feel this is a good solution for solving problems and troubleshooting remotely from home or work. It also allows us to set and check up on our instrument IconNMR automated overnight runs from home. We feel that we can also use the app for training of users on spectrometers by demonstrating things remotely by taking control and for solving problems with spectra without being in the same room. We are also happy that we can use it to log on to researcher worker's laptops to assist with TopSpin queries and issues should you not be able to bring your equipment to us. If you would like to read more about the app then there is more information at https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en
Zoom, Teams and Skype
If you just need to talk to us about a problem and it doesn't lend itself to an email conversation we can have a video call on one of the above applications which are now pretty commonplace. Just email us to outline your question and if we need to arrange a meeting we'll take it from there.
Guides to the Open-Access spectrometer experiments with fair use submission rules
The new experiment guides for the open-access instrument experiments which reflect the changes we have made in the last few months as well as the new fair use submission rules following the return to the free-for-all model of walk-up access are listed and described below:
Arran - 700MHz TXO Cryoprobe - overnight open-access experiment guide
Glenfairn - 500MHz - open-access experiment guide
Lagavulin - 400MHz - open-access experiment guide
Laphroaig - 400MHz - open-access experiment guide
Tobermory - 400MHz Prodigy Cryoprobe - open-access experiment guide
Please try and adhere to our fair-use rules on the spectrometers by only submitting a MAXIMUM OF THREE short experiments such as 1H and 19F per visit. For other daytime experiments that require longer acquisition times please restrict yourself to only ONE experiment per visit. This applies per instrument so there is nothing to stop you submitting samples to a different open-access spectrometer or waiting until the first three have finished and submitting more. For the longer overnight experiments such as CHARACTERISATION, please only have one of these in the queue at any one time. Again this applies per instrument. The NMR Facility reserve the right to adjust the queues or remove samples from the queue which go against the spirit of the policy. Obviously if it is 9pm on Sunday and there are only two overnight experiments then it would be silly not to add two or three samples if you had them as it is very unlikely that anyone else will submit anything and it is better than leaving the spectrometer idle half the night. Be sensible and consider others when submitting and you won't go far wrong!
With Tobermory, there is a restricted user base so on occasion it can be appropriate to submit ten samples in a row for example. Try and do this out of the peak hours in the lab, and if you need more than a couple of hours of the instruments time, consider making a booking on Clustermarket to reserve the instrument for your samples. Usual hourly charges will apply in these cases.
Quick guide to using our Accuratus glass keyboards
Duncan has made a brief instruction guide to using our Accuratus glass wireless keyboards which can withstand all sorts of abuse and cleaning. Having survived the entire Covid years without failing we are more than happy to continue with these in service! These combine the keyboard and trackpad function into one unit and there are some specific keys to press to toggle the modes. Make sure you have a look at this before booking one of our spectrometers.
Accuratus glass keyboard guide (PDF format)
Spectrometer Comparison Chart 2022
Use the spectrometer comparison chart here to decide which instrument is best for your sample to avoid a wasted booking and visit to the basement! If in doubt ask the NMR team on the usual address!