In this episode of Tools of the Trade at CSHL, we see a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) machine at work. It is one of several instruments used to help identify and characterize newly synthesized molecules in John E. Moses鈥 chemistry lab at 黑料吃瓜资源.
The NMR helps scientists determine how atoms are connected in a molecule. Samples are lowered into the instrument which has a large magnet that generates radio waves. Each atom responds to the radio waves in a slightly different way based on what other atoms are near it. The responses are recorded in a diagram鈥攁n 鈥淣MR spectrum鈥濃攚hich, like a unique chemical fingerprint, allows scientists to figure out the sample鈥檚 molecular structure.
The instrument鈥檚 large tank cools the magnet with extremely cold helium. Samples are transported with a robotic set of arms and air-powered tracks before and after being lowered into the magnetic field. The robotic arms, tracks, magnet, and coolant make an interesting set of sounds as the machine operates.