| NSF Org: |
CHE Division Of Chemistry |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | August 30, 2012 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 30, 2012 |
| Award Number: | 1229400 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Carlos Murillo
CHE Division Of Chemistry MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 15, 2012 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2015 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $255,850.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $255,850.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
|
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2221 UNIVERSITY AVE SE STE 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN US 55414-3074 (612)624-5599 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
200 Oak Street SE Minneapolis MN US 55455-2070 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | Chemical Instrumentation |
| Primary Program Source: |
|
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program that is co-funded by the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, Professor John Ellis from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and colleagues Lawrence Que, William Tolman, Calvin Sun and Connie Lu will acquire a single crystal diffractometer with a compact copper radiation source, photon detector and a top-of-the-line cryostat capable of collecting high-resolution diffraction data on very small specimens. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research training and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) hydrocarbon-stabilized metal-atom reagents; (b) electron-transfer molecular catalysts; (c) bioinorganic studies of metallo-copper enzymes and synthesis of sustainable polymeric materials; (d) study and optimization of the physico-mechanical properties of drugs; (e) model complexes of non-heme iron metalloenzymes; (f) design of biologically active agents; (g) synthetic routes to biologically active compounds; (h) Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 and dopamine receptor modulation study and anthrax toxin lethal factor inhibition; and (i) study of parthenolide and helenalin analogues.
An X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of a molecule relative to neighboring molecules. The studies described here will impact a number of areas, including organic and inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry and biochemistry. This instrument will be an integral part of teaching as well as research not only at the University of Minnesota but also at neighboring colleges and universities in the Twin Cities area.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external
site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a
charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from
this site.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The award from the National Science Foundation, Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities was used to purchase an X-ray diffractometer, an instrument that is used for X-ray diffraction of single crystals to determine the molecular structure within the crystal. This instrument was used continuously since start up. Approximately 150 samples were analyzed each year. The data collected on this instrument were used to increase fundamental knowledge in several disciplines, including chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, and pharmacy/pharmaceutics. This knowledge was disseminated in conference presentations, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and graduate theses.
The diffractometer serves a dual role in educating and preparing the future workforce. The diffractometer is used in training graduate students and is integrated into a graduate-level course in single-crystal diffraction that is offered annually. During the award period, 32 graduate students and 2 undergraduates completed this course and became proficient in the technique of single-crystal diffraction. Many of students were able to apply their knowledge to solve structural problems relevant to their thesis research projects independently. Training in crystallography coupled with state-of-the-art instrumentation provided graduates of our Ph.D. program the additional crystallographic skills to be competitive in both academia and industry for future careers in science and engineering.
The diffractometer was also used in a three-day outreach workshop geared towards promoting research at primarily undergraduate institutions by teaching this community about single-crystal diffraction. During the award, four of these workshops were held. Several faculty members of Carleton College and University of St. Thomas and approximately 30 of their undergraduate students attended these workshops. Besides providing a unique learning opportunity, these students were given hours of hands-on training on the diffractometer.
Last Modified: 11/09/2015
Modified by: John E Ellis
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
