This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfield of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of constructing a novel, high speed magic angle spinning system for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The approach chosen will use both technology which is based upon gas bearing systems and technologies previously developed by Creare personnel for incorporation into a variety of devices, some of which have been commercialized. Current sample spinners for NMR spectroscopy are generally limited in rotation speed to approximately 10 kHz. A unique gas bearing system based on principles successfully employed in high speed, miniature cryogenic turbomachines will be used to achieve a 40 kHz rotation speed. The bearing will incorporate damping cavities and feed orifices to provide capacity and stability. The bearing will also be configured to accommodate unbalance from nonuniform packing of sample material. In Phase I, a shaft will be spun to 40 kHz to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach. If successful, a complete ultra high speed sample spinner assembly could then be demonstrated in Phase II. %%% This research will test the feasibility of an NMR sample spinner that is capable of stable operation at rotation speeds of up to 40 kHz. This device would significantly improve the resolution capability of solid state NMR by reducing spectrum broadening effects caused by proton-proton dipolar couplings.
