Structure and Instrumentation Facility

The Structure and Instrumentation facility specializes in the characterization of non-biological materials. Its goal is to serve the educational and research needs of the students and faculty at YSU and at collaborating regional colleges.

In addition to the smaller GC-MS, chromatographic, spectroscopic, physical and analytical instruments, the facility houses:

  • An X-ray diffraction lab consisting of three single-crystal and one powder X-ray diffractometers, and an X-ray fluorimeter; and
  • An NMR lab equipped with two Varian multinuclear NMRs operating at 300 and 400 MHz, as well as a Varian EM-360 60 MHz instrument.

The research-grade major instrumentation was purchased through a combination of NSF, state and internal funds.

X-Ray Facility

Instrumentation includes:

  1. The Bruker AXS ApexII is a single crystal diffractometer, offering one of the most powerful techniques to determine material structures. It was installed in 2000 and has since been extensively upgraded.
  2. The Bruker AXS X8 Prospector was installed in 2014. We primarily use it to collect data from the smallest of molecule samples, like DNA, RNA and proteins.
  3. The Bruker AXS D8 Quest was also installed in 2014. Its advanced optics and shutterless leading allow it to collect data faster.
  4. The Bruker-Nonius D8 Advance Powder Diffractometer offers uses for experiments that require either simple diffraction or high-resolution analysis.
  5. The S2 Ranger fluorescence spectrometer is capable of detecting elements at least as heavy as sodium. It can be preloaded for overnight data collections to analyze polymers, food, water, plants and more.

NMR Lab

Refurbished in 2008, the NMR lab is equipped with two new 400 MHz multinuclear NMRs. Within the facility are various distinct pieces of equipment:

  1. New Bruker Avance magnet, robotic sample changer and variable temperature accessories
  2. Triple resonance probe optimized for 13C observation with simultaneous 1H and 19F decoupling
  3. Bruker Avance 400 spectrometer with a refurbished magnet and a multinuclear broadband inverse probe for indirect detection of less sensitive nuclei and multidimensional NMR data collection.

Electron Microscopy Facility

Equipment and instrumentation include:

  1. A JEOL JIB-4500 Multi Beam System uses both a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and electrons to scan under 5 nanometers.
  2. The JEOL 2100 Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscope has a digital camera. It produces both data for diffraction patterns, and high-resolution photo images.
  3. The JEOL JSM-7600F Scanning Electron Microscope's resolution enables clear sample scans as low as 1 nanometer.
  4. The JEOL JSM-IT300LV Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope's large analytical chamber supports samples as large as 300 millimeters.