Users

Training Policy

Every new user of the NMR Facility must complete the initial NMR training session before using any of the NMR instruments, regardless of past NMR experience. The advanced technique-specific trainings are optional.

Training sessions are conducted by June Spiegel. The best way to request a training session is by email (junespiegel@pitt.edu). No special preparation for training is required of the user; all training materials will be provided.

Request a Training

To request a training on any equipment in the lab:

This process will enter you on the training list which tracks training progress for our labs, and automatically sends a notification to the scientific specialists who give the equipment trainings in the lab.  The appropriate specialist will contact you with their schedule availability, for you to attend training based on mutual availability.  We strive to provide any trainings no more than 2 weeks after the request date.

Automated NMR training

The automated NMR training session is designed to help users independently run 1D and 2D NMR experiments on the NMR Facility’s 300, 400A, and 500 MHz instruments. The session typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. During automated NMR training, participants will learn to:

  • Follow magnet safety protocols.
  • Prepare and handle NMR samples correctly.
  • Set up 1H, 13C, DEPT-135, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments using automation.
  • Perform basic data processing, including spectrum phasing, referencing, integration, and peak picking.
  • Utilize the plot layout editor.

Upon completion of training, users will be granted access to the 300, 400A, and 500 MHz instruments.

Manual NMR Training

The manual NMR training session is designed to help users independently run 1D and 2D NMR experiments on the NMR Facility’s 400 and 600 MHz instruments. The session typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. During automated NMR training, participants will learn to:

  • Follow magnet safety protocols.
  • Prepare and handle NMR samples correctly.
  • Load, lock, tune, and shim the samples.
  • Set up 1H, 13C, DEPT-135, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments.
  • Perform basic data processing, including spectrum phasing, referencing, integration, and peak picking.
  • Utilize the plot layout editor.

Upon completion of training, users will be granted access to the 400 or 600 MHz instruments.

Variable-Temperature Training

This training session covers the operation of the variable temperature unit. It usually requires 20 minutes to complete. Topics covered in this training include:

  • Use of the "edte" temperature control interface
  • Shimming at high temperature
  • Safe temperature limits of the NMR instruments and NMR samples
Training in Other Techniques

In addition to the techniques listed above, the NMR facility staff may be able to provide advice or training in performing other experiments that are within the capabilities of our instruments. In the case of experiments that present a risk of damage to the instrument (for example, very low-temperature studies), it might be required that the user only perform an experiment with staff supervision.

High-Field Instrument (600 MHz and 700 MHz) Authorization

New users are not authorized to use the facility's 600 or 700MHz instruments by default. Access must be requested from the NMR staff on an individual basis. This policy is to prevent inexperienced users from damaging the instruments, as well as to ensure that time on these instruments is reserved for those whose projects require these instruments' capabilities.

Access to the 600 will be granted on the basis of the user's experience and the necessity of a high-field to their NMR experiments.

Please note that at the present time, there is a limit of two user accounts per research group for the 700MHz. If your group is already at the two-user maximum and you would like to run a sample on the 700, you will either need to arrange for an existing 700 user to run it for you, or make arrangements with the facility staff to run the sample.

Scheduling Policies

Scheduling for the NMR instruments is handled via the iLab.

Most NMR scheduling policies are enforced automatically by the iLab or IconNMR software; however, users must also respect the following rules:

  • You can only sign up for one NMR spectrometer at a time.
  • Signing up NMR time for non-approved users is not allowed.
  • Not more than two reservations allowed per day per instrument per user.
  • Overnight experiments should be set-up to end before the end of the overnight time slot. Any experiment which is still running after the end of the allotted time slot will be terminated with "halt".

Exemptions from these rules will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the NMR staff at least 48 hours in advance to request an exemption.

Scheduling Rules by Instrument

301B (450 CSC)

The NMR 301B runs in automation using IconNMR.

  • Daytime Hours:  8 AM – 11 PM
  • Daytime limit: 30 minutes/experiment
  • Nighttime Hours: 11PM – 8 AM
  • Nighttime limit: 9 hours

Nighttime experiments can be submitted in advance to the system. Instructions for submitting nighttime experiments on the 301b are available online in the guide “Using the SampleExpress”.

400A

The NMR 400A runs in automation using IconNMR.

  • Daytime Hours:  8 AM – 10 PM
  • Daytime limit: 15 minutes/experiment
  • Nighttime Hours: 10PM – 8 AM
  • Nighttime limit: 6 hours

Nighttime experiments can be submitted in advance to the system. Instructions for submitting nighttime experiments on the 400A are available online in the guide “Using the SampleExpress”.

400B
  • Day time 8AM-10PM 1 hr limit
  • Overnight time 10PM-8AM (next day)

Users are limited to 2 appoinments per day. 

Each appointment must begin less than 24 hrs after it is requested.

500

The NMR 500 runs in automation using IconNMR.

  • Daytime Hours:  8 AM – 10 PM
  • Daytime limit: 30 minutes/experiment
  • Nighttime Hours: 10PM – 8 AM
  • Nighttime limit: 6 hours

Nighttime experiments can be submitted in advance to the system. Instructions for submitting nighttime experiments on the 400A are available online in the guide “Using the SampleExpress”.

600
  • 24hr limit

Each appointment must begin less than 1 week after it is requested.
You cannot have more than one appointment in the future, i.e., you cannot sign up for a new appointment until your previous appointment has begun.

700
  • 36hr limit

Each appointment must begin less than 1 week after it is requested.
You cannot have more than one appointment in the future, i.e., you cannot sign up for a new appointment until your previous appointment has begun.