Training Center

Classes

All NMR training other than the Initial Bruker training for Tango and Waltz needs to be requested using a training request form. Training to use additional NMR systems requires the trainee to have passed the NMR Automation Parameter Test and be requested using the NMR Training Request Form. Training for Variable Temperature work requires the trainee to 1- have passed the NMR Automation Paramter Test, 2- show proficiency using the NMR system, and 3- be requested using the Variable Temperature Training Request Form. Please note that incomplete or incorrect form submissions cannot be accepted; and, as noted above, Initial Bruker training is held every Tuesday from 0900-1100 hrs in room 1318 barring a staff holiday or scheduled disruption.

Training Flowchart

NMR

• Initial Bruker training (Waltz and Tango) is held every Tuesday morning at 0900hrs - no appointment necessary. This training also provides access to the ILSB 400 instrument for whom it is relevant. All users must start with this training.
• Information about the NMR Automation Parameter Test may be found here.
• Basic Varian training provides access to the VnmrS 500 in 1327. Please contact the staff for access to the training videos, and then arrange a quiz and check-out.
• Advanced Varian training is held on the VnmrS 500 system in 1327. Applicants should feel very comfortable running the system for basic acquisitions before requesting training. Please contact the staff for access to the videos, and then arrange a hands-on training session.
• Additional training for Bruker room temperature probes is held on the Avance Neo 500 in 1321 (Salsa). This training allows the system to be used both manually and in IconNMR, and additional topics may be covered in a later session.
• Additional training for Bruker cold probes is held on the Avance 500 in 1235. Initially this training allows the system to be used in IconNMR, but may be continued to use the full TopSpin software. Applicants that need to run the full TopSpin software should feel comfortable using IconNMR and adjusting the basic pulse sequence parameters before requesting additional training. Please contact the NMR staff for access to the videos, and then to arrange a quiz and check-out.
• Training on the Avance Neo 400 solids (Foxtrot) system is more of an apprenticeship, and is significantly more involved. Please contact the staff for training on this system, special topics (eg: variable temperature), and experiments (eg: DOSY).

EPR

• Training on the EPR need to be arranged with Dr. Troy Stich (stich@tamu.edu).

Reservation rules, Citizenship, & breakdown per system

Reservation Rules

Each system has its own set of reservation rules. This variability allows each system's schedule to facilitate the system's role. We have some systems intended for quick, walkup use and others for long-term studies. A summary of the rules for systems requiring reservations is shown in the table below.
For those instruments scheduled using the FACES System, a primer on learning to use it may be found here.

Citizenship

• Never, for any reason, allow anyone else to use your login information. Violating this rule can have severe repercussions at the university level for all involved.
• Never, for any reason, are you to bring a person with a pacemaker close to a magnet.
• Avoid bringing ferromagnetic materials anywhere near a magnet. This includes most tools and office supplies. Check your lab coat pockets!
• Be wary of bringing electronics close to a magnet, we are not responsible for their loss.
• Do not make a reservation for anyone else or that you do not plan to keep, and delete a reservation if circumstances prevent you from keeping it as planned.
• Your experiment is expected to be completed within your reserved time.
• On systems with sample changers, never take someone else's sample out of the sample changer.
• You may use an instrument without a reservation, but if someone has made a reservation during a time slot: that person has priority and you must surrender the instrument to that person.
• Do not use an instrument for any purpose other than that for which it has been designed and set up.
• It is not, and never has been, anyone else's responsibility to save your data, deal with your sample, et cetera. You need to make arrangements beforehand if you cannot be present at the conclusion of your experiment, or you run the risk of losing it all.
• Data should be saved in your data directory. We will not prevent you from saving data in other locations to which you have write privileges, but we will not backup data from any location other than your data directory.
• When your immediate use for an instrument is done you should log out or change users. On systems where you log into the computer: log out. On systems where you log into the software: change users. Never power down a computer.
• Remember your chemical hygiene. Do not bring food or drink into the lab. Do not wear gloves when working on computers.

Materials